Dust off those tennis shoes, break out those racquets, and prepare to be treated like royalty.

That’s what members of Valley Royale in the Mahoning Valley can expect once it opens for the season on May 1.

Perhaps no one is as excited about the prospects for the former Maple Tree Inn Tennis Club then owner Jennifer Everett.

“Last year, with the pandemic, we had a very quiet opening,” Everett said. “We are excited to open on time this year.”

Membership

Everett said Valley Royale is offering a 10% discount on membership applications until April 30. The discount code is NEW2021MEMBER.

While it had about 60 members last year, she said they already have about 45 people signed up this year.

A 2010 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, Everett said she first played and took lessons at the site back when she was in fifth grade.

Everett then went on to play four years on the Lehighton High School tennis team, being named scholar athlete as a senior.

“I’m thrilled to be back in the community, and it’s been really fantastic to meet old acquaintances again,” she said. “I achieved my goal of giving the Lehighton tennis team a place to practice again.”

Everett discussed her immediate goals for the tennis club.

“This year, the focus is on creating the next generation of tennis players,” she said. “Tennis is a lifelong sport; so let’s start them now.”

Everett said Valley Royale received plenty of feedback since it opened last year.

“We did do a survey last summer,” she said. “Most of them said, “We’re just glad you’re open again.”

Everett noted she joined the USTA Community Committee “so that I can learn how to spread tennis in the area beyond just Valley Royale.

“I’ve already been able to get in contact with local gym teachers about free USTA programs and equipment they can take advantage of,” she said. “People are so excited that we’re open.”

Events/camps

Everett said the tennis club has several events planned in May.

She said those include a Kids Tennis Carnival with the United States Tennis Association on May 1 which will feature an obstacle course, hitting off target, and footwork drills. There will also be a pie-eating contest, above-the-mask face painting, a photo booth, and a pizza truck on site.

On May 6, Pancho’s Food Truck will be on site at the tennis club’s adult/senior social night. A junior social night will be held May 3. These will continue to run weekly.

A Mother’s Day Retreat will be held May 8 in collaboration with other local women-owned businesses, such as Seventh Moon Spa, Habitual, King Cole Winery, Scout & Cellar, Little Bean Soapery, and cupcakes by Connie Hoffman.

On May 22, a Beginner Pickleball Clinic will be held. Pickleball socials will be held on a weekly basis from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays; 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays; and 5-7 p.m. Fridays.

Additionally, Everett said there will be five camps throughout the summer.

The first is from 9 a.m. .to 3 p.m. May 15, and is to build skills and learn about tennis. Other camps include June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon each day Monday through Friday for ages 7-16; the first week in July and the first week in August for ages 7-11, and the second week of July and the second week of August, ages 12-16.

Everett said an end-of-year tournament will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 15 for junior women, men, and mixed doubles, and Caribbean Food Truck will be on hand.

Lessons

Everett is joined by former longtime Jim Thorpe High School tennis coach Norb Lienhard, who now serves as tennis instructor at Valley Royale.

“When I first found out somebody bought this, I was just so happy they took it over and have a place for people to play,” Lienhard said. “I wanted to make sure she succeeded because I love tennis.”

Lienhard expressed pure jubilation with his new gig.

“I love coaching the kids, and just love being around tennis,” he said. “As a tennis coach, I want to get as many people involved as possible.”

Lienhard explained what his role is.

“Here, I’m going to be able to get to teach kids how to play tennis,” he said. “I just want to instill that (passion) I have for the game into the kids of the area.”

Lienhard said the camps are an integral part of the tennis club.

“By having all these camps in the summer, it’s going to help all the area high school teams,” he said. “It’s another opportunity to play, to take lessons.”

Lienhard, who spent the past 27 seasons as the Jim Thorpe High School tennis coach, discussed his intentions when he decided to join Valley Royale.

“When I’m giving lessons here, you know people here want to be here and improve,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a really good experience.”

Everett said Valley Royale recently received a donation of a ball machine, which Lienhard plans to use as a teaching tool. Members and guests may also rent the ball machine for a $10 fee.

“We’re hoping they’ll come out and use it, come to our round robins and socials,” Everett said. “For anybody that may be picking up a racquet for the first time, Norb also does restringing.”

Lienhard said it was a bit of a learning experience for him last year when he first started at Valley Royale.

“I had some adults take some lessons, and I enjoyed giving them lessons,” he said. “We just want to get as many people to play as we can.”

More than tennis

Valley Royale has four outdoor tennis courts, two pickleball courts, two lounges, and dining room and kitchen available for use.

Everett noted that inside, they’ve held birthday parties; a baby shower; a blind wine tasting party; a DIY soap making workshop; a virtual reading with Dimmick Memorial Library in Jim Thorpe; and students have come to use it as a study lounge.

“This space has been used for so many things,” she said. “This is here and available to them.”

There’s plenty of room for social distancing, Everett said.

“We would love to have people join us here and enjoy the facility,” she said. “It’s definitely a place where you can be safely spread out.”

Everett said Valley Royale is committed to bringing the highest quality tennis play and instruction to its members and guests.

“It feels good to be able to do something nice for people,” she said. “I can’t believe we’re going into the second year.”

After trying to navigate around COVID-19 last year, Everett said things seem a bit more simplified this year.

“I wanted to have all these events and couldn’t (last year),” she said. “This is like the redemption.”

To reserve courts or sign up for tennis programs, visit https://www.valleyroyaletennis.com.

Those interested in booking a private event should email hello@valleyroyale.com or call 610-730-7753.