A group of investors has offered new hope to Midlothian area tennis players.  Led by Ken Baker, the group has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase Brandermill Country Club's tennis facilities.  The private club, located in a planned community off of Hull Street and RT 288, had discussed plans to raze its outdoor courts to make way for a condominium project.  Those plans had met with widespread disapproval by local residents and club members.

"When Courtside closed, we were in the process of looking at another site on which to build an indoor facility when Brandermill announced its intention to sell off nearly all of its courts," said Baker, who has been a member of Brandermill Country Club for 20 years.  "We realized that not only had we lost our indoor courts,  but we stood to lose our opportunity for outdoor league play, too."

Baker's group approached Brandermill with its own plan to build an indoor facility covering 4 outdoor clay courts.  The proposed building will have a viewing area, and a small workout facility.  "We want to have the same small family feel that we loved about Courtside," said Ken.  Once the purchase is final, which could be as soon as a few weeks, Brandermill's 18 outdoor courts and 4 indoor- courts-to-be will be part of a new entity called "Midlothian Tennis Club".  Memberships to the outdoor courts and the indoor courts will be offered separately.  "We want to offer those players who already belong to an outdoor facility an opportunity to join an indoor facility, without them having to leave their present club."  Baker expects interest from Woodlake members who were unable to get their own plans for indoor facilities off the ground last Spring.  

"It is not our intention to compete with any other existing clubs," said Dave Cochran, President of the Board of Directors of Midlothian Tennis, LLC, the investor group.  "This is as much a facility for pros to use for teaching during the winter as it is for players to play." 

Cochran said that the group is soliciting investors for the project.  Interested parties are welcome to contact him at 474-1302 (work) or email: dcochran@sterlingbenefit.com.