Rules: Short Version
BRATTLEBORO TENNIS CLUB MEMBERSHIP RULES
Updated 9/15/23
2023-2024 PLAYING SEASON
Short Version
This Short Version of the BTC rules is designed for improved readability and easier use. It is limited to the most frequently encountered topics. A Long Version is available for those who require additional scope or detail. The Ultrashort Version will give you a quick look and the Long Version contains the most detail.
Playing rights – Each membership has one playing right which consists of not more than two adults living in the same household and any unmarried children under 23 years of age living in that same household.
Playing limits – In order to permit access to the courts for all, there are limits as to how often members may play on a reserved court:
Players from a membership group (i.e. a family or household)
- May play no more than six times in a week.
- May play no more than twice a day.
- May play no more than three times in a given week on weekdays between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (“prime time”).
Between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on a given day, an individual club member may play only one time (unless an instructor with more than one playing right).
These limits apply any time a person plays on a reserved court, regardless of who made the reservation.
Family members playing together – Two or more family members playing on the same court at the same time shall constitute one playing period for that membership group, unless they have separate memberships, in which case each player shall be charged with an appearance.
Walk-on play – Playing limits do not apply to walk-on play when a court is open. Same day reservations (made after 6:00 a.m. on the day of play) may be counted as walk-on appearances.
Guests – Guests are allowed only when playing with a member. It is the responsibility of the member to see that the guest is observing all club rules. A guest is permitted to play twice a month. The guest fee is $20 for each court, with the exceptions made elsewhere for Associate Members, family members, and Keene Racquet Club members. Members are responsible for the fees of their guests. Fees are to be paid prior to play.
Family guests – Members’ children and grandchildren who do not hold playing rights (e.g. living elsewhere or over age 23) may use the club facilities at 1/2 the regular guest fee if playing with a family member who has BTC playing rights. If not playing with a family member, regular guest fees apply.
Associate Members – Associate members may use the courts from 8:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and may make reservations to do so. Associate members may play during other hours as a guest of a member no more than four times a month for a guest fee of $10. Also for club-sponsored doubles (currently Monday night and Saturday morning) regular members get priority, but if associate members are added to the roster, those appearances will not count against the four monthly court appearances.
Reciprocal privileges – The BTC has reciprocal guest privileges with the Keene Racquet Club. KRC members may play twice a month at our facility at no charge. KRC members may play an additional two times a month and pay a $10 guest fee on those occasions.
Logbook – The name of every player is to be entered in the logbook before play. Guests’ names must be marked as guests, along with the member responsible for the guest.
Shoes – Only clean, dry tennis shoes with non-marking soles are permitted on the courts. We recommend that you have a separate pair of indoor tennis shoes and put them on after entering the club rather than wearing them outside the club.
Water and food – Only water in a closed, non-glass container is permitted on the courts; no other beverages. No food or chewing gum is to be taken onto the courts.
Pets – Pets are not allowed anywhere inside the BTC.
Children – An adult must accompany children under age 14 when using club facilities, and the adult is responsible for the children while they are at the club.
Play periods – The time periods of play are set by the Board and may be changed from time to time. Available playing times can be found online at the reservation website. (See below.) Members making reservations shall have the exclusive right to use the court at that time.
Reservations – Courts may be reserved online up to seven days in advance at Your Courts.Com. When a given membership already holds three reservations, a reservation cannot be made for the newly opened day.
Cancellations – When a reservation is canceled at the Web site, it should be done at least 24 hours in advance in order to permit someone else to reserve the court. If a late cancellation is unavoidable due to unforeseen circumstances, please let the club president know by email in order to avoid a penalty.
Instructors – Anyone wishing to give paid lessons at the BTC must first contact the board, complete the required forms, and provide documentation of a liability insurance policy covering tennis instruction.
In addition, the club assesses fees for instructors who charge for lessons. Either a) the instructor must hold a playing right specifically for instructional purposes or b) the instructor must have a regular playing right and pay $5.00 for each lesson given. If instruction by a guest instructor is planned, please inform the club president well in advance to permit appropriate screening.
Advance reservations – Courts may be reserved in advance for special events such as team or league play or for scheduled clinics. Advance reservations require permission of the board and require an advance reservation fee of $10 per playing period.
Physical facilities – Please keep all areas clean and neat, and free of extraneous materials. This includes stray balls behind the curtains. If there is a problem, please notify the board. If there is an urgent problem, please contact the club president or another board member right away, using the contact information at the end of this document.
Penalties and Enforcement – In the event of a violation of club rules, the club may take the following steps:
First occasion – Written notification;
Second occasion – $10 penalty;
Third occasion – $25 penalty;
Fourth occasion – Loss of playing rights for one week;
Fifth occasion, or failure to pay or appeal a penalty within two weeks of the date of notification – Loss of playing rights for one month.
Appeals may be made to the Board of Directors for adjudication. A ruling by the Board is final.
Thanks for your attention and for your participation in our efforts to provide a fair and equitable framework for the use of our shared facility. We look forward to seeing you on the courts.