Mike Martines jokes that he's spent some 30 years of his life in a bubble, so it was nice, especially so in this case, to climb back into one.
And it only cost him $270,000.
Which really isn't so bad for a bubble 40 feet high that is lighted, heated and large enough to cover four tennis courts — sideline-to-sideline — at the Dee Smith Tennis Center, now often referred to as Coach Mike's Tennis Academy.
The bubble is the answer to his lifelong pursuit to teach tennis. He taught before he became one of the top Utah players back in the 1960s, and he hasn't stopped giving out the secrets to a smooth backhand and topspin forehand.
Now, the newest of five tennis bubbles in the Salt Lake Valley is ready for occupancy and to give out Martines' tennis messages.
An open house — Martines called it a "Bubble Celebration" — took place Friday.
Along with tennis-related activities — fast serve, baseline targets and other contests — there were booths set up, clinics held and a barbecue dinner.
The celebration will carry over to Saturday with a dinner, auction and comments from guest celebrities, starting with tennis great Dennis Ralston and track star Henry Marsh, along with former Mayor Ted Wilson (master of ceremonies) and current Mayor Rocky Anderson.
The event will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. The cost is $100 per person or $750 per table. For information call 583-9451.
All the money collected will go to pay off the bubble.
The pot, said Martines, "is about $110,000 short right now. Once we've paid for it, once we own it, we'll turn it over to Salt Lake City. The city will own it."
The center started as a public/private project. The city donated the land, and a developer built the clubhouse and courts. Eventually, the entire tennis center fell under city ownership. Five years ago, Martines stepped in to run the center.
It was then and is now, the teaching pro emphasized, "a public facility. The courts are open to anyone . . . anytime."
Anyone can, for a $14-an-hour fee ($3.50 a person for doubles) and a phone call reserve court time.
"This is something we haven't had before," he said. "The so-called public park players had to stop playing in the winter. I felt this was something we needed for players who don't belong to a private club."
When Martines went looking for a bubble, he blended 40 years of experience with lots of home study to find just the right bubble.
He took into account high lobs, so this bubble is 40 feet tall instead of the standard 30. He also targeted lighting. Instead of the lights shining up, as with most bubbles, his lights shine down — like sunlight. And the sides of this bubble go straight up instead of arching in toward the players.
"It's bright and it's open, and it's a great place to play tennis," he continued, "especially after all the work the city has done on this facility."
This past summer, all eight courts at the center were resurfaced. The clubhouse was also remodeled. And, Martines expanded his teaching programs.
He is now working with a number of at-risk programs to bring players to the tennis courts.
"Not only do we give them seven free lessons but free tennis rackets, T-shirts and tennis balls," he explained. "We give them something to do with their time."
Martines is a product of the city-park program. He learned to play at Liberty Park. He was No. 1 singles champ at East High in 1961 and 1963 and went on to star with Jim Osborne on the University of Utah tennis team, playing in two NCAA Championships. More recently, he was ranked nationally No. 7 in men's 50 singles.
He taught tennis at resorts around the country for 15 years, then returned to Salt Lake City to resume his teaching profession.
He said he recalls with fond memories his days on the public courts and would like nothing more than to offer that experience to other young players, "and having the bubble, being able to play in the winter, will help, tremendously, as people will see the minute they step into the bubble."
E-mail: grass@desnews.com