A welcoming “cook out” is planned for Friday evening, plus a Saturday evening lakeside soda and beer party with a brief awards ceremony that evening or on Sunday.

Tennis players may register for men’s or women’s singles and doubles plus mixed doubles. Pickleball players may register for men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Tony and Joyce Nigro, whom some of you know, will be helping with the pickleball section.

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Steve and Jen Bonner of the Coke Company in Virginia provided all the refreshments for those involved. We would like to thank them for all of the support they have given over the years of the tourney.

In the near future we would like to invite former players that were on Paul’s team to take part in the special day. If interested please contact Dave Gunderson to take part.

Janet Koski

Congratulations on your combined efforts to raise funds and construct a first class, covered tennis facility for the Quad Cities area. The fact that it is a Quad Cities effort that will benefit many thousands of Iron Rangers for many generations is grand and welcome news. The tennis programs in Virginia, Eveleth, Gilbert, and Mt. Iron will continue to be strong and competitive for generations. Folks in the area will have a place to exercise and play tennis year ’round. In a word: smashing! Our check, representing a donation from daughter Sandy, son Isaac, and me, is in the mail and on its way to you from the Philippines. Maraming salamat (thank you very much) for your combined and continuing efforts.

Ole Zupetz

I am sending this letter to support the Virginia community in their goal to build and develop an indoor tennis center. The development of an indoor tennis center in Northern Minnesota would certainly provide opportunities that currently are only available in urban and suburban Minnesota communities.

I know that the community has made a significant effort to raise funds towards the accomplishment of their goal. Also, I know that other community and school programs would enjoy the opportunity to play and be involved in tennis events that would be available due to the completion of the project. Hopefully, additional grant monies can be secured to help complete this project.

Les Zellmann

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Pictured above are Quad Cities Tennis for All director and Virginia tennis coach David Gunderson, Bruce and Holly Lundgren and their children plus Tom Prosen, QCTFA director and Eveleth/Gilbert tennis coach, who is receiving the donation.

“We really appreciate this contribution,” said Coach Prosen. “Having an indoor facility will allow us to host tournaments instead of always traveling elsewhere, and that alone will save thousands of dollars every year for our schools, coaches and parents who travel with the students. Our kids have done great, but it’s tough competing against schools that have year-round access to

courts. Having this facility will put us on an even playing field with the competition. “My sister, Lee Anne, and I and our entire family fully support this project,” said Bruce Lundgren. Having indoor tennis will be a great addition to the Quad Cities, especially during the winter and our often tough spring and fall weather. It’s important to support community projects like this where we make our living, and it’s a great way to show our appreciation to the people who have been supporting us for so many years.

According to Coach Gunderson, “This donation will not only help us provide year- round tennis for residents of the East Range , every tournament we hold will bring visitors and income into the Quad Cities. We’ve even had inquiries from people who plan to combine ski or golf vacations at Giant’s Ridge with time on the courts.”

ALL OF US INVOLVED IN ROSEAU TENNIS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF INDOOR COURTS THE QUAD CITIES .   WE KNOW THE STRUGGLE INVOLVED IN BUILDING A COMPETITIVE PROGRAM,  WHILE DEALING WITH THE DISADVANTAGE OF TEACHING SEASONAL ATHLETES.    AS IN MOST OTHER SPORTS,   THE TENNIS PLAYER THAT CAN FIND INDOOR COURT TIME DURING THE MINN ESOTA WINTER HAS A HUGE EDGE ON THE PLAYER WHO CAN’T.

FURTHER,  SCHEDULING HOME MATCHES WITH TEAMS COMING FROM A GREAT DISTANCE IS ALWAYS RISKY IN THE SPRING AND FALL,   WHEN YOU’RE DEPENDENT ON DRY WEATHER TO PLAY.  I THINK YOU WILL FIND INDOOR COURTS (AND THE ASSURANCE OF PLAYING) WILL BRING MANY MORE TEAMS TO THE QUAD CITY AREA.

AS A MEMBER OF THE ROSEAU ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,  I WILL SAY THAT HOSTING SPORTING EVENTS IS A TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL ENGINE FOR HOTELS,  RESTAURANTS, GAS STATIONS,  RETAIL BUSINESS,  ETC.  YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY WILL BENEFIT FROM AN INDOOR FACILITY.

ROSEAU WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF A FUTURE TENNIS SCHEDULE WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED.

GOOD LUCK,  AND KNOW THAT WE’RE SUPPORTING ALL YOUR EFFORTS.

JACK SWANSON
ROSEAU GIRLS TENNIS COACH
OWNER/ G.M. -   KCAJ-FM RADIO
ROSEAU ,  MINNESOTA

Jessica (Bateman) Winkelaar

I would like to voice my support for the completion of the indoor tennis facility in Virginia, Minnesota. Our tennis team has been invited to play in Virginia and because of the long distance from South St. Paul to Virginia, we look forward to traveling there once the indoor tennis facility has been completed. This will allow our tennis to be guaranteed, rain or shine.

Growing up in a small town in southern Minnesota, I understand the lack of indoor tennis facilities in rural areas as well as the importance of them. An indoor tennis facility will be advantageous to many people in the Virginia area as well as other parts of the state. Please support this mission.

Best wishes,

Pepper Meyer
Varsity Girls Tennis
South St. Paul High School