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by Judie Jacoby
In the early seventies
Janet Balbutin (a local pharmacist and avid tennis player) organized a
group of young moms and taught us all to play tennis at Sam Brannen Park.
Once “bitten” by the tennis bug, I couldn’t get enough of it, nor could by
friends. Soon we were desperate for courts to play on as Sam Brannen
Park’s four courts were inadequate and Rancho Cortez, a private six court
“neighborhood” club, had a CLOSED membership with a long waiting list.
For those who know me, I am a “fixer” and just had to solve this problem.
So I contacted Jim Wilson, a builder who had constructed Rancho Cortez,
Chico Racquet Club, Auburn Racquet Club and was completing the Turlock
Racquet Club where he was innovatively offering the first racquetball
courts in Northern California in tennis clubs. Though skeptical about a
second tennis club in our town, he encouraged me to gather supporters and
became quickly convinced o four need when, at our first gathering, fifty
people each handed me a check for $50 for the “possible” new club.
I selected the 9 ½ acre parcel, which we now occupy primarily because it
was close to my home and had a “neighborhood” feel to it. The original
club consisted of 10 lighted tennis courts, 4 racquetball courts (with
cement floors), an outdoor pool & jacuzzi (then considered
state-of-the-art) and the clubhouse, which is now the front portion of the
Club. Jim later sold half of the acreage (darn!) to private developers who
built the Shiloh Residences, which partially surround us.
We opened the tennis courts in August of 1975 and when the building and
racquetball courts were completed, we held our official grand opening
(January of 1976). Within the month we closed our membership as we had 350
families supporting the Club, and that was the number of members we felt
that we could handle and not have crowded courts.
The Club was sold around 1980 as Jim was building his sixth, seventh and
eighth clubs. The new owner, a respected doctor in Yuba City, was just
what we needed as interest in tennis was waning and the exercise
revolution was beginning to emerge. Dr. Toller became very interested in
exercise as it related to health as the data was fast emerging that people
who exercise regularly and eat healthy meals tend to feel better, sleep
better and live longer, healthier lives. Together we were able to create
the “dream club” we delight in today.
The first year of our Multi-Sport Club was quite challenging as many of
our “die-hard” tennis and racquetball members were quite repelled by the
“gym” crowd and expressed their dissatisfaction in no uncertain terms. But
before long they, too, had joined in the exercise revolution and were
frequently expressing their pleasure at not having to join another club to
work out. And when members from surrounding clubs would visit for a tennis
match, they would let our members know how much they envied the facility
and wished they had the same opportunity at their home club. Today we
proudly tour out-of-towners from all over the country and they marvel at
our facility. I know I feel proud and pleased.
In April of 1987 we purchased Rancho Cortez Swim & Racquet Club fro the
members. The club was in great need of repairs and refurbishing which has
been a continual challenge since its purchase. To date we have replaced,
re-lighted and enlarged all six tennis courts, reopened the children’s
wading pool, re-plastered the diving and lap pools, installed a massive
sprinkler system and remodeled the club house. Rancho has been a nice
addition as an annex for tennis activities and junior tennis camps and a
wonderful “family hangout” all summer long with its lovely lawns and
picnic areas.
With the decline of racquetball and the increased need for fitness space,
we converted two of our four racquetball courts into two floors (3,200 sq.
feet) of state-of-the-art free weights and weight machines. In addition,
we added a Pilates Studio, cycling center and glassed in our group
exercise floor.
We have also added several amenities to our main facility, including
Physical Therapy, the Club Café, and a wonderful new “Kidz Klub” next
door. We also have “Kidz Time,” a fully licensed after school Day Care at
Rancho Cortez and YCRC.
Many members ask me how we got started and how I came to run the Club and
now you know! In late 1999 I promoted Pete Bakis, my former assistant, as
CEO so that I could retire, try and improve my tennis game (my original
intention upon building the club years ago) and enjoy my life more fully.
Pete and the gifted directors and staff of YCRC embraced the opportunity
to take YCRC into the 21st century with energy and enthusiasm. Many of the
original staff have continued on to serve the members of our wonderful
club.
Please continue to share your suggestions and comments regarding the Club
as the best is yet to come!
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