We want to support keeping the racquetball courts at the Chapel Hill Y. They are the only courts in Orange County, and those who enjoy playing will be significantly impacted if they are eliminated. It is so important to provide the community and especially seniors with activities that are fun and good exercise. We hope the Y will preserve at least one court for racquetball players.

Carolyn and Stan Epstein

Chapel Hill

Destroying those courts would be ‘absurd’

My father is one of the devoted three-times-a-week racquetball players at the Chapel Hill/Carrboro YMCA. He has been playing racquetball for over 30 years.

This superb team sport is popular throughout the U.S. It’s health benefits are wide ranging in building strength, flexibility and increased coordination.

The sport also has the added benefit of bringing people together with many diverse academic, social and economic backgrounds.

The idea of destroying the racquetball courts to gain more exercise equipment space at a huge cost is absurd and not well planned out. I’m sure the thought is that more of the “popular” exercise equipment will increase revenue.

Please re-evaluate the plan to eliminate the courts. There are options to expand elsewhere. Why leave a significant YMCA population of racquetball players without courts?

Gayle Ostrom

Lorton, Va.

… and a shame

It would be a shame to tear down the only racquetball courts in Orange County. The senior citizens I know who enjoy them will miss them very much and for some, racquetball is their primary source of exercise and the reason they joined the YMCA as opposed to other exercise facilities in the area. Please consider keeping at least one of the courts for their use.

I very much hope the YMCA leadership will reconsider their decision to tear down the only public racquetball courts in Orange County and replace them with more fitness machines.

One of the many wonderful things about the Y is the diversity it fosters, providing healthy opportunities for members of our community of all incomes, races - and ages.

The racquetball courts are used by a strong community of mostly senior citizens who have been playing there for years, and destroying them would leave them high and dry.

By contrast, there are many, many places around town where people can use fitness equipment.

I strongly believe the right decision is to preserve the diversity of offerings and populations at the Y by maintaining this unique facility.

Andrew J. Perrin

Chapel Hill

Please don’t do it

Please do not destroy the racquetball courts!

The YMCA courts are the only accessible courts in Orange County, and destroying them would be a disservice to the people (many of whom are senior citizens) who are avid and regular players of the game.

Sally Schwartz

Chapel Hill

The CHN welcomes readers’ comments. Email them to chnsports@nando.com, and please include your name, town and a daytime telephone number.