Kastles Won't be Playing at Waterfront Station

According to Gordon Fraley at Vornado, the Washington Kastles stadium will not be built on the empty lot at the northwest corner of 4th and M streets in Waterfront Station. It was reported last month that the team was considering the site for their temporary stadium, which had to be removed from the Southwest Waterfront last year to make way for Phase I of The Wharf.  From Fraley's email update:

After extensive due diligence, we were not able to make the site work for this use...We are in the process of working with other organizations to provide other exciting interim activation experiences at Waterfront Station.

It's unclear where the Kastles will be playing their home matches this season, which is set to get underway on July 9 against the Boston Lobsters.

Meanwhile, another planned interim use at Waterfront Station that will be moving forward is an art installation on the District-owned NE parcel next to CVS. The Southwester reports that the lot will become a mini-exhibit garden with works of art from five internationally-known artists as a part of the 5x5 Project from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Curator Lance Fung selected the following artists to work on the SW exhibit, which will be called Nonuments: Jonathan Fung, Cameron Hockenson, Peter Hutchinson, Jennifer Wen Ma, and Nora Naranjo Morse. From the article:

“For my curatorial contribution to 5×5, I envision Nonuments — a temporary sculpture park featuring ‘monuments’ devoted not to the great, but to ordinary people, to the ideals of democracy, and to the common struggles of humanity,” says Curator Lance Fung. 

The exhibit will be on display for 16 weeks from September to December.

Photos from Washington Kastles Charity Classic 2012

On Tuesday evening, local pols, Congressmen, media personalities, sports legends, and Kastles players took to the court at Kastles Stadium for the inaugural Washington Kastles Charity Classic.   All proceeds will go to Share Our Strength, DC Public Education Fund, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which helps care for the families of fallen heroes. Below are some photos from the event.

Former Treasury secretary Lawrence Summers is introduced.

Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans and Deputy Mayor Paul Quander
of Team Stripes warm up before their match. 

Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander and Senator Evan Bayh of
Team Stars.  Brett Haber of NBC Sports served as MC of the event.

Former Redskins player Darrell Green and Kastles star (and London 2012
Olympics-bound) Leander Paes of Team Stripes.

Former Mayor Tony Williams surveys the court prepping for his role on the line.

Kastles closer (and birthday boy) Bobby Reynolds
and former Redskins player Rocky McIntosh of Team Stars. 

Team Stars won the Kastles Cup.

First Kastles Home Match This Thursday, Charity Tennis Match July 17th

The Washington Kastles, WTT Defending Champions, began their 2012 season last night with a win on the road against the Orange County Breakers 22-18.  Tomorrow, the team plays another road match against the Springfield Lasers.  Thursday will be the first home match of the season at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf against the New York Sportimes.  Gates open at 5:15pm and first serve will be at 7pm.  Prior to the start of the match, a WTT Championship Banner Ceremony will take place.  The 2012 home schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, July 12 vs. New York Sportimes (vs. Martina Hingis)
• Sunday, July 15 vs. Philadelphia Freedoms (USTA Family Night)
• Monday, July 16 vs. Boston Lobsters (w/ Venus Williams)
• Wednesday, July 18 vs. Sacramento Capitals (vs. Sam Querrey)
• Friday, July 20 vs. Orange County Breakers (Chris Evert Fan Reception)
• Sunday, July 22 vs. Kansas City Explorers (w/ Serena Williams)
• Tuesday, July 24 vs. Philadelphia Freedoms

Southwest residents receive a 10% discount off ticket prices when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster using the promo code SWDC10.

The Kastles will host an inaugural charity tennis match on Tuesday, July 17 at 7:30pm called the Washington Kastles Charity Classic. There will be two teams of 12 players, with each team featuring members of Congress from both major political parties, diplomats, members of the Obama administration, media personalities, and Kastles players.  All proceeds will go to Share Our Strength, DC Public Education Fund, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which helps care for the families of fallen heroes. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $100 for boxes, and $500 for tables. General admission tickets are available on Ticketmaster and tickets for boxes and tables can be purchased by calling the Kastles at 202-4TENNIS. 

Refurbished Tennis Courts

I wasn't able to make this event since my family was in town last weekend. Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells joined Southwest residents and representatives from the Washington Kastles and the US Tennis Association (USTA) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for three refurbished Jefferson Field tennis courts at 9th & G Street on Saturday, June 16th.  The tennis courts were restored to usage by a grant from the USTA and American Express.    

The Kastles begin their second season on the Southwest Waterfront next month.  Their first home match will be on Thursday, July 12th against the New York Sportimes. The last home match will be on July 24th, which was supposed to be headlined by Venus Williams, but her match was rescheduled to July 16th since she will most likely be participating in the Olympics.  Check here for the full schedule.

Volunteers Needed for SW Youth Tennis Club

The second season of the Southwest Youth Tennis Club will begin this summer.  Below is information from

the press release:

This season, free lessons will be offered on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings from June 20 through July 28 (excluding July 4th) at the King-Greenleaf Recreation Center Tennis Courts, 201 N Street, SW Washington, DC. Practice sessions may also be scheduled depending on the students’ needs. The Tennis Club can accommodate up to 40 students. 

This year, the club needs volunteers to: coach and teach tennis to 10-18 year-old beginners; practice with the students; distribute leaflets announcing the free lessons; pick up and deliver refreshments; take action photos of the students, and make wake-up/reminder calls. Interested volunteers should email Kay Hixson at swtennis2012@gmail.com.

Photo from last season courtesy of Kay Hickson

Photos from Opening Night at Kastles Stadium

Enough said.





Here comes the Kastles! First player up is Arina Rodionova.

Bobby Reynolds

Rennae Stubbs

Leander Paes

Venus Williams

Mayor Gray came to the match.

Oklahoma! star Eleasha Gamble sings the National Anthem.



Kansas City Explorers during the National Anthem.



Washington Kastles during the National Anthem.

Team owner Mark Ein welcomes the crowd to the Kastles' new home at The Wharf.

Team huddle.

 

Paes serves in the men's doubles match which the Kastles won 5-4 in the tie-break.

A capacity crowd came to see opening night at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf.

Williams practices before the mixed doubles match.

Williams serves during the mixed doubles match, which the Kastles won 5-3.

Reynolds serves during the men's singles match, which the Kastles won 5-1.

Williams returns a serve during the women's singles match against Christina McHale from the Kansas City Explorers, which the Kastles lost in the tie-break 4-5.

The stadium is right next to the waterfront promenade and Gangplank Marina.

Coach Murphy Jensen answers questions after the Kastles win in overtime 21-18.

Venus Williams interview after the team win.

The Kastles prepare to sign autographs for fans 16 and under.

Kasnas City Explorer Ricardo Mello signs a tennis racket for a fan.

Fans line up to receive an autograph.

Slice, one of the team mascots, keeps the young fans entertained.

Six Days and Counting Until Inaugural Match at New Kastles Stadium

In a little less than a week, the Washington Kastles will take to the court with Venus Williams against the Kansas City Explorers in their brand new stadium at The Wharf. Earlier today, the Kastles were kind enough to give me a tour of the stadium. It was a beautiful afternoon for a tour - sunny, low humidity and a bit of a breeze. Blue skies made for good photo-taking.

Seats on the north side of the stadium are higher to allow views of the Washington Channel.

The 2,570-seat facility took about a month to build and was dedicated by Mayor Gray and Billie Jean King earlier this month. The main entrance is located at 9th and Water Street and concessions are located on the north side of the stadium. There's a VIP area on the south side and the Kastles will offer season ticket holders transient boat slips at the Gangplank Marina - a luxury currently not available at any other tennis facility in the country. Tunnels connect the north and south sides so patrons have easier access to the concessions area, which is a new feature that did not exist at the downtown stadium.

Finishing touches, such as painting lines on the court, are now being done.

This tennis experience is a bit different than what you would find at the Legg Mason Classic. Live bands typically play before the match and the players come on the court to music. Crowds cheer throughout the match. There are a total of five sets per match - a women's single, a men's single, a women's double, a men's double, and a mixed double. For each match, gates open at 5:15pm and the first set begins at 7pm.  Matches typically last until 10 or 10:30pm. After each match, all fans 16 and under can get autographs from players on both teams.  



The Washington Monument is visible from the south section where table service will be available.



The Kastles will keep their stadium up year round for the next two years, unlike prior seasons when they were located downtown. During the off-season, the stadium will be used for other purposes, including a charity tournament in late July and will most likely host an event affiliated with the Cherry Blossom Festival. Eventually, the site of the stadium will become the home of Graduate School USA and a luxury hotel once The Wharf development gets underway and the stadium will need to move to a new location. The team wants to work with local youth at Amidon-Bowen Elementary and Jefferson Middle School - the dilapidated tennis courts on 7th Street by Jefferson will most likely get refurbished by the Kastles. In addition, the team is working with local restaurants to cross promote their activities and offer discounts.



Flat screen TVs have been installed near the front row on the north side of the stadium.

The season home schedule can be found here. Ticket prices range from $15 - $75 depending on the match. There are two seat types available - grandstand and chair back, with chair back seating costing more. Southwesters can get 10% off admission on July 15th for Chris Evert night by typing the code SWDC when purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster. Garage parking is available for $15. The stadium is also accessible via Metro, Circulator, American River Taxi, and Capital Bikeshare.

SW Youth Tennis Club in Search of Volunteers

The following message is from the SW Youth Tennis Club

The SW-DC Youth Tennis Club is looking for Volunteer Tennis Instructors!

Commit 5 to 10 hours over 5 weeks this summer July through mid-August. You pick the time.

If you are an Intermediate tennis player and like kids, you have the skills we need. Most of the SW kids ages 10 to 16 will be beginners, and need help with the basics.

(Activities at Randall and King-Greenleaf tennis courts)

 

In addition, we're looking for a social media guru to set up our blog/TW/FB/YouTube presence focusing on our opcoming tennis activities, and a graphic designer to work on our logo and visual pieces (membersip cards for the young people, etc.).

 

Donations of used tennis equipment will also be accepted.

 

To sign up, call or email Kay Hixson (202-646-0551 or kay@KHAsolutions.com)