AMP renovations and silver lining

When I first read the news in the paper about the closing of American Memorial Park tennis courts for renovation, the initial emotions that went through my mind was of shock and disbelief!

REALLY? And pigs could fly too! It’s hard to believe that after all the years of telling AMP tennis players and the general public the courts were going to be renovated that it was actually going to happen now! After getting over my initial reaction, I started feeling the warm fuzzies for this much waited and anticipated good news! I mean the courts are in such bad shape from years of no maintenance and most of the court lights are dead!

Then it suddenly hit me like a slam dunk! What now? And where the #%&*^%? am I going to play? Big question since the AMP is the only public court on island. So, I started talking to the other AMP regulars and we checked around the hotels. Turns out the Fiesta Resort and Spa and Kanoa Resort have the best prices compared to the others. So, naturally we started reserving the courts to keep up the workout and reduce the daily grind and stresses imposed upon the mind and body.

This went on for a couple of weeks until my friend Ken told me that Lydia Tan wanted to help the AMP players during the renovation period. Not really knowing Lydia but knowing the generosity of the Tan family (monetary donations, services, and materials to the community over the years), I was very happy to hear her talking about it. So it came as no surprise to me when Ken called a couple of days later to inform me the Fiesta and Kanoa courts are open for the AMP players at no charge during the renovation period! I’m like “WOW.”

Now, for the folks that don’t play tennis, this news might be just a minor note. But to the regulars at AMP, this is not only a generous offer but it shows the Tan family’s spirit and commitment to help the community in general.

Imagine this…you’re playing this wonderful sport called tennis on a well-maintained tennis court by the beach side, the weather is tropical perfect, the sunset is just spectacular and there’s harmonious music playing softly in the background at the beautiful Fiesta and Kanoa hotels…yup, sounds like my idea of tennis paradise!

So, to Lydia and family along with the hotel management and employees, you have my deepest appreciation for this unprecedented and generous privilege. And I firmly believe the other AMP players echo my sentiments. Finally, you can count on me as another volunteer for the annual Tan Holdings Tennis Classic tournament anytime.

Joe Quitugua
Tanapag, Saipan