Alright folks, been wanting to get back into tennis lately, you know how it is. Saw folks raving about this Renaissance Tennis Club online, figured I’d check it out myself. Total pain trying to find straightforward info on their website about where it actually is and how much it really costs. Typical club stuff, gotta jump through hoops.
Scoping Out the Place
First things first, I needed to know where the heck this place was hiding. Grabbed my phone, tried calling the front desk. Got voicemail. Tried again later. Finally got through to some chirpy staffer who rattled off the address too fast. Wrote it down, punched it into the GPS. Drove over there after work on Thursday. Took forever to find parking near the entrance – sign was smaller than I pictured. Building seemed decent, couple outdoor courts visible, looked kinda worn? Hard to tell from the road. Walked in feeling like the new kid on the block.
The Infamous Cost Hunt
Okay, the big one: MONEY. This was like pulling teeth. Website just said “membership available” with no numbers. Called twice asking for specifics. Got vague answers about “different levels” and “seasonal promos.” Frustrating! Decided, screw it, I’m going in person to demand a price sheet. Walked up to the membership desk, tried to look confident. Kevin from “Membership” (name tag said it) finally gave me a physical brochure. Scanned it like my life depended on it. Prices were buried in fine print at the back. Typical.
Here’s the gist of what I saw:
- Single Membership: Started around $75 monthly. That’s the basic package.
- Family Membership: Bigger jump! Around $140 a month. Kids gotta play too, right?
- Ouch, the Initiation Fee: Yeah, there it was. A one-time slap of $200. Almost missed it scribbled there.
- Court Fees? Supposedly court time is “included” in membership, but prime times? Wouldn’t be shocked if there’s a squeeze later.
Made sure to ask about any other mandatory add-ons, like locker fees or towel charges. Kevin mumbled something about a “small annual facilities levy.” Translation: probably another sneaky fee. Major turn-off.
Taking the Tour & Final Thoughts
Since I was already sweating in their lobby, I asked Kevin for a quick walk-around. Saw the main courts. Outdoor ones looked fine, a few cracks, but playable. Couple indoor ones for rainy days, felt kinda humid and echo-y. Changing rooms were… cleanish? Smelled faintly of damp feet and cheap cleaner. Nothing fancy. Staff seemed okay, just going through the motions.
Drove home thinking about it. Honestly? Location is convenient if you live near westside, courts are decent enough for casual play, nothing championship level. But the costs… Sheesh. That initiation fee stings, and $75-$140 monthly ain’t exactly pocket change either, especially when you factor in strings, grips, maybe lessons later. Plus that mysterious annual levy? Felt a bit nickel-and-dimed.
So yeah, found the place, got the skinny on the cash part. Was it worth it? Maybe if you play multiple times a week and live close by. For me, right now? Gotta crunch the budget harder. Might just stick to the public courts a while longer. At least those only cost me the gas to get there.