Greenburgh Tennis Bubble Law on Legislative Bubble

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – A bill that would allow a sheltered tennis facility in Greenburgh may not be approved by either the state state Senate or Assembly before they break for the year.

State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) said the bill, now making its way through the legislatures’ Rules Committee, is backed up with several other potential laws as state politicians wrap up the final two weeks of session.

“Because it’s at the end of the year, there’s a lot of pieces that are being considered during this very final push toward the end of the season,” Stewart-Cousins said Wednesday.

The bill would allow Sportime's year-round tennis facility to come to Anthony F. Veteran Park in Greenburgh.

Town officials estimate the tennis bubble could bring in more than $3 million in revenue during the span of its 15-year lease. In its way, however, stands a 20-year-old piece of state legislation, the Finneran Law, which prevents residents outside unincorporated Greenburgh from using the park’s facilities.

State and town officials are working to draft a bill opening the tennis facility up to unincorparted Greenburgh and other community's residents as Sportime has said the tennis facility would not be profitable enough without the potential added patrons.

Assembly member Thomas Abinanti (D-Greenburgh) said he and his staff have spent the past few weeks tweaking the legislation, hoping to solve any potential issues. 

“We have gone through 10 versions in an attempt to satisfy every concern, real or imaginary,” Abinanti said Wednesday, adding he is confident the bill will be approved by the Assembly this session. 

Still, a coalition of Greenburgh’s six village mayors have resisted the measure, insisting the legislation does not make clear all of the risk and expenses for unincorporated residents. Abinanti dismissed the idea the bill is unclear.

“There is no confusion in that and anyone raising that issue is attempting to derail the legislation,” he said.

If the bill is not voted on next week, it is likely Greenburgh may have to wait until January, when state legislators resume work, to get a decision on the bill. 

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