Citizens reject Capaha tennis court site

June 14, 1974 Southeast Missourian

As a group of Cape Girardeau citizens gathered on the hillside at Capaha Park Thursday night to plan ways of stopping the construction of four new tennis courts there, work on the project continued as long as light permitted. Consulting atop the tractor are Kermit Wallenmeyer, Jackson, the tractor operator, and the tennis court contractor, Ronald D. Aafedt, 415 Bellevue. The group on the hillside called Mayor Howard C. Tooke to the site later in the evening to ask him to defend the City Council's decision. A special council meeting has been set for Monday night to that residents can air their views.

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Members of the protest group made it clear they were not against the building of tennis courts, but against the location. Most said they did not want to see the open space, used by so many people for such a variety of activities, confined in steel and concrete for the recreation of so few. The courts would not be lighted because the lights would interfere with baseball games played nearby.

June 28, 1974 Southeast Missourian

Farewell to tennis court site

It could be said that Calvin Phillips of Jackson, operating the tractor, Thursday was burying Cape Girardeau's latest "bone of contention" as he pushed earth back onto a site at the base of Cherry Hill in Capaha Park, previously proposed for construction of four new tennis courts. Reseeding is to be done, though the grass may make a slower return to the site, which was abandoned for tennis court use after strong objections from the City Park Board and a citizens' group. Another site in Arena Park has been selected. Earthwork on the site for two tennis courts in Missouri Park, North Fountain and Park drives, which was expected to begin Thursday or today, will not start until next week, probably Tuesday, Donald R. Horlacher, acting parks superintendent, said. Ronald D. Aafedt is contractor for the courts.

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March 1, 1973 Out of the Past:

In wake of City Council's rejection of recommendation of recreation board to construct new tennis courts, group of sports enthusiasts met last night to plan effort to persuade council that tennis facilities are important need; present courts in Capaha Park are considered unplayable; while city residents are permitted to use 12 Southeast Missouri State University courts, school will soon post signs stating that university students and faculty have first priority there.

June 26, 1974 Out of the Past:

New site in Arena Park for proposed construction of four tennis courts is approved by City Council; as recommended by City Park Board, court will be built in flat area along East Rodney Drive immediately south of Cape LaCroix Creek; construction of tennis courts at that site will require closing of existing road off East Rodney, which follows creek in quarter-circle and connects with West Independence.