Save the Simmons Squash Courts

We, the undersigned, have used and enjoy using Squash Courts 1 and 2 in the Holmes Sports Center at Simmons College. We find the sport an exciting and refreshing alternative cardiovascular exercise to the more stationary methods such as bicycles, elliptical and treadmill machines.

We have noticed a large increase in the use of the courts over the past 4 months, culminating to the point where there is often a wait to use the 2 courts. An example of this new participation was seen on the evening of July 8, 2004 when over 10 members of the Simmons Community used these facilities within 2 hours time. This is not an isolated incident, and may not be apparent on the Sports Center sign-in sheets, as some people tend to use the courts after already signing in to use the Centers other facilities.

Unfortunately, Squash Court 1 is scheduled to be demolished this summer and we feel this would be a great disservice to the community. The reasoning behind the removal of one of the courts has been explained as a lack of use and interest, which we feel was gathered from either inaccurate or outdated data. We strongly feel that this is not the case and that the recent enthusiasm about these facilities will only cause their use to expand. If the proposed removal were to take place and it was later discovered that a spinning room, or whatever might replace the court, gathered even less interest than the Squash Courts had previously, the cost of restoring the graduating class of 1944s gift (Squash Court 1) may not be something that Simmons would consider allocating funds toward.

We ask that you please reconsider the destruction of Squash Court 1, as it will certainly curtail what we see as a growing and positive community activity.