Van open Ready to Grow Up
BY MARC WEBER, THE PROVINCE AUGUST 8, 2011
The Odlum Brown VanOpen is at the top of the Challenger food chain.
Having grown steadily for a decade, from a $25,000 women's event to a $200,000 combined tournament, there's no richer - or, given the location and housing setup, more unique - second-tier tennis tournament in the world.
The next decision is a big one: remain at this level (the maximum prize money for a Challenger) and work on perfecting the little things, or go for the big fish - full-fledged ATP and WTA Tour events.
"I think it can continue to grow and I wouldn't rule it out but I think that's a ways out," said tournament chair and underwriter Floyd Hill. "We have to make sure the community will support it, and it's not just the jump in prize money. It's the facilities, the linesmen and umpires, the services for the players, the hotels, and managing all that.
Financially, the minimum prize money for a WTA event is $220,000 and $450,000 for what's known as an ATP 250 level event on the men's side.
Would the Hollyburn Country Club be willing to accommodate?
Could the courts and amenities be built up enough, or would facilities like the Thunderbird Sports Centre at UBC, or the Richmond Oval or Vancouver Convention Centre be better?
There's also the rather large matter of finding a slot on the tour schedule.
It's already a crowded summer slate. There are more opportunities in the late fall, which means going indoors, and that ties into the venue debate.
"The players love it here," Hill said. "There's nothing like this."
Yet there are few reasons to dream bigger.
Vancouver has proven itself to be an event town. The grandstand was full for Sunday's finals and the VIP boxes were sold out, but Centre Court is limited to around 2,000 fans.
Beyond the tennis nuts, attracting the general public over the course of a week means attracting bigger-name players, and there's no secret formula - the prize money and ranking points dictate players' schedules.
There has been a tour event in Vancouver before.
In 2004, the VanOpen was a $110,000 WTA tournament at the Jericho Tennis Club. Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, then ranked 56th, was the top seed.
International play has moved out east and to Alberta.
Odlum Brown and presenting sponsor Invesco are on board for another two years, as is the Hollyburn Country Club.
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