A private group's plans to finance construction of a regional tennis center in Elkridge could help advance county plans to develop the long-planned Troy Hill Regional Park into a community jewel on a historic site.
The land has been used by Europeans since about 1695, historians say, and Revolutionary War figures are thought to have met at a house on the 106-acre tract's highest hill when the property was owned by Col. Thomas Dorsey. The shell of a stone house believed to date from the early 19th century that could become park headquarters now overlooks Interstate 95 at Route 100.
Art Tollick, who leads the Howard County Tennis Patrons, said his group brings a deal any government would have trouble refusing.
"Every other group is saying, 'Come and give us the money,' " the 59-year-old King's Contrivance resident said. "We're saying, 'Work with us and we'll bring the money.' "
If the deal goes through, the county would lease the land to the tennis group. Tollick's group would raise construction funds and pay off the debt through fees charged to players, he said. The $200,000 already raised and about $300,000 more hoped to be raised would go for planning and engineering costs.
County officials also see the park as the logical place to build a large community center for Elkridge. But the economic slump and the need to complete another long-planned regional park and community center in North Laurel will likely delay the $16.9 million Elkridge park.
The current county capital budget calls for spending $3.5 million on Troy Hill park development next fiscal year, with completion in fiscal 2013. That does not include money for the community center, however.
The uncertain funding situation is the reason county and community leaders are supportive of letting Tollick's group begin the project, which is projected to cost $20 million.
"Once they do the road, parking and the tennis facility, we're into the property," said Gary J. Arthur, recreation and parks director. "We saw this as an opportunity to provide a service cheaply, with zero [county] dollars."
Area residents and County Council member Courtney Watson, who represents Elkridge, have complained for years about what they see as inadequate public amenities, so they also welcome Tollick's proposal.
"Elkridge has been the fastest-growing area in the county in the last 10 years," said Watson, a Democrat, adding that plans for expanding the library and building a community center are long overdue.
