Club Bulletin

SPORTIME ushers in a new era for tennis, pickleball, sports, fitness and community in the New York Capital Region

Schenectady, NY – January 12, 2026 – SPORTIME Clubs, the Tri-State area’s leading owner and operator of tennis, pickleball and sports clubs, today announced the rebranding of SPORTIME Schenectady as SPORTIME Capital Region to reflect the club’s commitment to serve the broader NY Capital Region. The announcement follows a comprehensive $5 million renovation that included reconditioned indoor tennis buildings and courts, upgraded lobby, lounge and fitness areas and locker rooms, a state-of-the-art 12,000-square-foot indoor turf field in a new air-supported structure, and more, all designed to deliver a 5-star, year-round, club experience to a wide variety of members and players. 

Located on Curry Road, right off of the New York State Thruway, SPORTIME Capital Region is easily accessible to residents of Schenectady, Albany County, Guilderland and the surrounding areas. The club has remained open during the renovations, with an official grand-reopening celebration scheduled for January 24th. SPORTIME Capital Region employs an average of 25 year-round staff members, with that number doubling in the summer to support camp operations.

“The SPORTIME Capital Region rebrand underscores our commitment to serve the entire region with state-of-the-art tennis, sports, daycare, fitness and aquatics facilities, offering best-in-class programs and services provided by expert coaches, counselors and teachers,” said Bennett Schlansky, SPORTIME’s Executive VP and COO. “Our club is designed to create a one-stop destination for adults, children and families, from first-time players and students to competitive athletes.”

New Indoor Turf Field, and More
“The addition of our new indoor turf-sports center will allow us to significantly expand the range of indoor sports and programs that we offer, including soccer, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, field hockey and more,” said Robert Coleman, General Manager of SPORTIME Capital Region. “We are excited to be able to now provide turf-sports athletes from our surrounding communities a high-quality indoor space to train year-round.”

The turf area is enclosed in a new air-supported structure year-round, and can be subdivided into two or more practice fields depending upon the activity.

The SPORTIME Capital Region facility also features:

• Six indoor, hard-surfaced tennis courts in permanent, conditioned buildings.
• Eight outdoor Har-Tru, soft-surface tennis courts.
• Four spacious indoor, hybrid pickleball courts in a permanent conditioned building.
• Modern fitness center offering free weights, cardio equipment, resistance-training machines, and dedicated stretching and functional training areas.
• A heated outdoor pool.
• Beautiful lobby, lounge and viewing areas able to accommodate a variety of special events.
• Spacious, modern locker room facilities. 

SPORTIME Capital Region offers members and others:

• Instructional, competitive and social tennis for players of all ages and levels, including hourly and seasonal court-time rentals, SPORTIME’s proprietary Adult Tennis Kinetics (ATK) group programs and SPORTIME Bounce and Excel junior group tennis programs, all led by SPORTIME’s world-class coaches. SPORTIME’s coaches have a long track-record of developing competitive junior tennis athletes, with many moving on to join NCAA Division I, II and III collegiate tennis programs. 
• Instructional, competitive and social pickleball offerings, including court-time rentals, open-plays, leagues and clinics.
  Private tennis and pickleball coaching.
• Indoor turf field rentals for soccer, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, field hockey and much more, including sports specialty camps and programs.
• SPORTIME Eager Explorers, NYS licensed daycare, with before and after-school care options. 
• School-break tennis and sports camps, Summer Excel Tennis Camp and SPORTIME’s summer multi-sport camp, for kids pre-school through 18 years of age, including aquatics. 
• Private and group aquatics instruction and programming during the outdoor season.
• A full lineup of group exercise classes for members, including yoga, Pilates, cycling, and interval training, and SilverSneakers® group fitness classes for seniors.
• Individual and group personal/athletic training, including sports-specific options. 
• A variety of flexible corporate and special events, and birthday party options.

New Site Leadership
Robert Coleman recently joined SPORTIME Capital Region as General Manager, offering extensive experience in recreation and athletics, most recently as Director of Athletics and Recreation at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Lauren Almy was also recently promoted to Assistant General Manager. Lauren, who was a competitive junior player, holds an Associate’s degree in physical education, and was an assistant coach for the Union College women’s tennis team before joining the SPORTIME team. 

Explains Coleman, “My team and I have three major priorities for SPORTIME Capital Region in the new year: to deliver an outstanding experience to every member and club user; to deepen our ties to the surrounding communities; and, to make SPORTIME the “go to provider” in the Capital Region for tennis, sports, fitness, camp, day care, and more”  

About SPORTIME
Since 1994, Sportime has been proud to operate the finest tennis and sports facilities in the Tri-State Area. Sportime features 20 club locations, most recently expanded to include the iconic Port Washington Tennis Academy, now Sportime Port Washington, and five new standalone pickleball locations in New York and New Jersey. Sportime currently offers 192 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and 142 indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, as well as rinks, turf-fields, camps, gyms, padel courts, pools and more, at sites across Long Island, in NYC, in Westchester, in the NY Capital Region and in New Jersey. Sportime clubs are state-of-the-art, yet affordable, and feature the best tennis, pickleball, sports and camp facilities and programs, including the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA), Sportime Volleyball Club (VBC), Sportime Pickleball, and more. Sportime clubs serve individuals of every age and athletic ability, 365 days a year. Learn more: www.sportimeny.com.

CONTACT:
Jennefer Witter
The Boreland Group Inc.
jwitter@theborelandgroup.com 
 

We have only been at Eager Explorers a short time but we are so happy with the positive changes we’re seeing in our kids. The activities are fun and age appropriate. The teachers are all so upbeat and positive. We just love seeing pictures of our kids happy and participating in class activities. We couldn’t recommend it more.
-Parent of 2 (Toddler & Preschool)

Sportime Eager Explorers Daycare provides a sense of community and developmentally appropriate care. Their qualified and caring staff builds a reliable and nurturing relationship with trusted teachers, ensuring a supportive environment for children to thrive.
-Toddler Parent

I’m so grateful for my child to be a part of this program. I cannot recommend Eager Explorers highly enough! My child has flourished in this nurturing environment, gaining both confidence and a love for learning. The dedicated teachers foster creativity and curiosity through engaging activities, and I’ve seen significant social and academic growth. The sense of community among families is truly special, making it a wonderful place for both children and parents. I am so grateful for the positive impact this preschool has had on my child's early development!
-Toddler Parent

I appreciate the staff and everything you all do. I have always appreciated the open communication and willingness to listen to me as a parent with a caring and compassionate intent.
-Preschool Parent

My child LOVES going to school. They are always excited to learn something new, they run to the classroom every single day. I’m grateful for the staff that make my children feel safe.
-Pre-K Parent

We are beyond grateful to have found such an amazing Pre k 4 program for our son. All of the staff are so kind and do such an amazing job making him feel so included. They offer such safe space for him to not only be a student but a kid. His improvement has been nothing short of positive and I know he will be so ready for kindergarten!!
-Pre-K Parent

I love this pre-k  they are extremely  good with all the kids and my granddaughter  loves them. She doesn't want to leave when it's time to be picked up . They do a great job keeping parents in the loop with daily activities  in the class and your child's progress from day to day . They do great educational  activities  . They individualize each kids needs . They are a very safe and secure facility. I would and do absolutely recommend them to anyone in need.
-Pre-K Parent

The teachers here are absolutely amazing and the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting. Having an app that is accessible is a game changer. I absolutely love all the activities that my son does and how interactive everything is. The staff is phenomenal throughout the whole location. I highly recommend anybody here.
-Pre-k Parent

The change in my daughter in the last 9 months is amazing. The amount of work and teaching these teachers put into the children really pays off. My daughter has learned to be more confident in day to day things compared to her last daycare. I am beyond thankful we found eager explorers.
-Preschool Parent

Our son has been attending Eager Explorer's for about a year now and it has been life-changing. He has learned and grown so much!! Each day he is excited to go to school, tell us all about it when we pick him up, and tired each night. The staff are wonderful and I would highly recommend this program. Thank you for all that you do. Eager Explorer's has been phenomenal for my child. He is excited to go to school each day and tell me all the things that he has learned.
-Pre-K Parent

We are so thrilled with the program and would recommend it to anyone. I used to hate sending my son to daycare and now I love sending him to preschool knowing he will have an enriched day.
-Preschool Parent

Why should I choose Eager Explorers?
We’re more than just childcare — we’re a community dedicated to nurturing the whole child. Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed to meet children where they are developmentally, from early learners building independence to preschoolers preparing for kindergarten. We offer structured, play-based learning with caring educators, small class sizes, and individualized attention. Our program focuses on social-emotional growth, early academics, and life skills — like potty training, problem-solving, and peer interaction — all in a safe, loving environment. Families choose us for our consistency, communication, and commitment to helping every child thrive.

What makes SPORTIME Eager Explorers Daycare unique?
In addition to our experienced and caring staff and our warm, family-centered approach, Eager Explorers’ location makes us truly unique. Located within SPORTIME Capital Region, our children enjoy daily access to exceptional recreational spaces, including indoor tennis courts, indoor turf, a basketball court, gaga pit, playground, nature trail, and large sports field.

Through fun, age-appropriate activities — including Tennis Tuesday and the SPORTIME BOUNCE program — children build coordination, confidence, and a love of movement while exploring a wide variety of sports every day. Our indoor turf also allows for additional sports instruction time for all enrolled families, at no additional cost.

How many children can attend SPORTIME Eager Explorers Daycare? What is the ratio?
Our preschool program follows OCFS guidelines with a ratio of 1 teacher to 7 students. To ensure the best learning experience, the program is divided into two classrooms: Preschool 1 with a maximum of 14 students and Preschool 2 with a maximum of 18 students.

Our Pre-K/Kindergarten Prep program maintains a ratio of 1 teacher to 8 students, with a maximum classroom size of 21 students.

Does Eager Explorers provide food?
Yes. Eager Explorers are provided with breakfast options until 8:00 am, along with a morning and an afternoon snack. Parents/Guardians must provide their child with a bagged/boxed lunch.

How often does Eager Explorers sanitize toys?
Toys are cleaned daily and deep cleaned weekly pursuant to NYS Office of Child and Family Services cleaning protocols.

Does Eager Explorers provide medical care?
Yes. SPORTIME and Eager Explorers staff are CPR/FA certified to handle emergencies and our Eager Explorers staff hold MAT certifications, allowing them to administer medication to children within care.

Do Eager Explorers offer contactless payment options?
Yes. Eager Explorer families may keep a credit card on file and pre-authorize payment or set up EFT payments.

What is the Eager Explorers check-in procedure?
Once enrolled, families will receive an access code for the Eager Explorers entrance. Eager Explorers families should proceed to the second-floor daycare classrooms, where they will be greeted by our staff. Each child is assigned an individual cubby for storing personal belongings. The second floor of the fitness center is exclusively used by Eager Explorers, providing a secure and safe environment for all children. All other guests and visitors must enter through the SPORTIME main lobby and check in with front desk staff. 

Does Eager Explorers use a parent communication app?
Yes. Eager Explorers uses Class Dojo for daily parent communication. We post daily photos from your child’s class as well as any updates, events, or special announcements. Each class has its own dedicated class page. We also post events and other fun posts on our social media pages. Parents are also welcome to communicate with teachers through email as well.

Are there any at-home components?
Yes. While your child will not have “homework” from Eager Explorers, there will sometimes be at-home requests for projects or activities, such as helping your child to select an object to bring for Show and Share that may match a specific category, or gathering things for dress-up or theme days. If any family desires help with additional home-based activities, feel free to speak with our director, who can provide you with individualized, age-appropriate activities and resources.

How does Eager Explorers share daily information?
Every Monday, families will be given a newsletter that provides a general plan for the week along with any important information. Our teachers post their weekly plans on their bulletin boards or in class dojo. Teachers will also post daily in their class dojos to give you a glimpse into their day.

Is there any digital documentation?
Yes. Eager Explorers utilizes Class Dojo for specific and individual communication. We also have multiple social media accounts for general and public communication, such as Facebook and Instagram

Does Eager Explorers conduct student assessments?
Yes. Eager Explorers conducts several assessments throughout the year. The first assessment is a benchmark assessment given to each child as they begin our program, to give our teachers an idea of where each child is developmentally, and to establish if there are any areas on which we should provide more focus. A check-in assessment is conducted mid-year to gauge progress and continued development. At the end of the year, our Pre-K children participate in a more structured assessment, kindergarten readiness. Some examples of what we use are: Ages and Stages (ASQs), Brigance, general benchmark assessments. Parents are provided with a chance mid way through the year to meet with their child’s teacher to check in and address any concerns.

Does Eager Explorers share pictures and videos?
Yes. Eager Explorers often shares pictures of the fun and learning in our classroom and facility with our families. Photo and video authorization is included in the enrollment documents. If at any point you no longer wish for your child’s image to be displayed on our social media, or in any other manner, please submit your request in writing to the Eager Explorers director.

Do you Potty Train?
Our youngest classrooms work on potty training. Our Voyagers classroom and Explorers classroom work on the potty training journey. Our teachers work closely with families to use any strategies that have been working previously for continuity. By the time children leave our preschool program they are fully potty trained. All children enrolled in our Adventurers (4-5) classroom must be potty trained. Of course occasional accidents are acceptable. We ask that families provide any potty training needs their child may have as well as extra clothes and underwear

This summer has been an incredible journey. Every week brought laughter, friendships, and memories, and Week 11 was no exception! We celebrated another fantastic camp season with our end-of-summer party, enjoying popsicles, sweets, and homemade baked treats from our camp families, while watching the Summer 2025 slideshow.

Read more >>

Grand Opening of Largest Indoor Tennis Facility in the United States

April 30, 2025 (New York, NY) — SPORTIME Randall’s Island proudly celebrates the completion of its $55 million expansion, a transformative project two years in the making. Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the latest milestone in the facility’s evolution, and firmly establishes its position as a world-class – and the largest – indoor tennis club and training facility in the United States.

One hundred percent funded by SPORTIME Clubs, this major investment follows the original $20+ million SPORTIME led project that brought SPORTIME Randall’s Island to life in 2009. With SPORTIME’s total capital investment reaching more than $75 million, the facility now stands as a testament to SPORTIME’s enduring commitment to New York City, reflecting its focus on excellence in sport, accessibility, and community impact.

“I am a lifelong New Yorker, I learned to play tennis in New York City public parks, including at Randall’s Island,” said Claude Okin, SPORTIME’s President & CEO. “So, there is no achievement more personal to me, or of which I am prouder, than SPORTIME’s flagship facility on Randall’s Island. Our goal, since 2004, has been to create a year-round tennis club and training center like no other in the world, right here in our hometown: NYC. And we have done that.”  

Best-in-Class Tennis Mecca
SPORTIME Randall’s Island now spans more than 260,000 square feet of tennis courts and support space. The expansion has elevated and diversified the year-round campus, which offers a scale and caliber of resources not previously available in the tri-state area—or anywhere beyond.

Now home to 33 courts—up from 20 at its inception—SPORTIME Randall’s Island features 15 Laykold hard-surface courts housed in two permanent buildings and in one seasonal air-structure, in addition to 14 Har-Tru soft-surface courts in one permanent and one seasonal air-structure. The facility also includes a dedicated Community Welcome Center with four 36’ red ball courts. All year-round indoor courts are fully air-conditioned, while all 12 seasonal outdoor courts are equipped with stadium-quality lighting for nighttime play. The result: elite playing and training conditions on multiple surfaces for athletes of all ages and skill levels.

To support the training, recovery, well-being and social interaction of players and athletes, the expansion added a second state-of-the-art clubhouse with direct viewing of 12 of the facility’s courts, and an enhanced athletic performance training and recovery center that rivals those found at elite professional venues. Amenities including lounge areas and classrooms, a wellness-focused café, and a full-service pro shop offering an unrivaled, world-class environment for players at every level.

The expansion also enhanced the facility’s special event and tournament hosting capabilities, including private lounge spaces, TV quality lighting, and electronic line calling on its hard-surface courts. The outdoor stadium court can be configured to accommodate up to 4,000 spectators, making it an ideal venue for competitions and showcases.

A Global Destination, Rooted in Public & Private Partnership 

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is parkland and the property of the City of New York and is operated by SPORTIME subject to a 25-year license agreement. It is both a commercial tennis club, open to the public, and a public park, with half of its courts, including lighted courts for evening play, accessible to NYC Parks Tennis Permit holders at a cost of $100 for the entire outdoor season. SPORTIME is a foundational partner of the Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA), the nonprofit organization that redeveloped and maintains the Park, which features Icahn Stadium and over 60 playing fields, and is one of NYC’s premiere sports destinations. SPORTIME’s more $2.5 million in annual license fees provide critical funding for the upkeep and improvement of the Island’s facilities. 
SPORTIME Randall's Island has redefined what a public/private partnership can be and achieve in sport. The facility welcomes 50,000 players and guests annually, hosts weekly tournaments and events ranging from USTA league play to international showcases, and employs a team of over 100 New Yorkers.  

"It is thrilling to see the completion of this significant project that only elevates the offerings Randall's Island Park and SPORTIME bring to both the local and greater NYC communities," said Randall's Island Park Alliance President Deborah Maher. "These state-of-the-art, expanded facilities represent the commitment SPORTIME and the Alliance are making to continually improve Randall's Island for park patrons and sports-enthusiasts of all ages."

“The expansion of SPORTIME Randall’s Island is an excellent example of how public/private partnerships can activate our parks and expand access to recreational opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “With over 400 diverse concessions citywide, NYC Parks is proud to partner with organizations like SPORTIME that not only generate vital revenue, but also enhance our parks through dynamic, year-round programming and meaningful capital improvements to our green spaces.”
Commitment to Community

Launched in the fall of 2010, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at SPORTIME Randall’s Island offers world-class, year-round coaching for junior players aiming to compete at the highest levels. Reflecting McEnroe’s vision of an urban academy, JMTA provides students with access to top-tier training while allowing them to live at home and attend local schools, thus offering access and opportunity to aspiring NYC-based athletes. Since its inception, over 200 JMTA players have earned college scholarships and preferred admission through their tennis. 

“When we launched the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at SPORTIME Randall’s Island in 2010, the goal wasn’t just to develop great players, it was to create access, to give New York kids real opportunity, and to build something lasting in the city I grew up in,” said McEnroe. “The expansion of this facility is a big moment. It means more courts, more kids, and more chances to do it right. And for me, that’s what it has always been about.”

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is also home to the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), a non-profit offering free community-based instructional programs that welcome as many as 1,600 children weekly to the facility. More than 2,000 children participate in JMTP programs offsite, at schools and CBOs, as well as virtual programming. Many of these kids are from NYC’s most underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods. JMTP’s programs are designed to introduce tennis at an early age, as a life-long health and wellness activity. For some, JMTP’s school-year programs lead to JMTP’s Excellence Program, which provides a pathway to JMTA scholarships. 

"For over a dozen years, our third graders at Central Park East II have received weekly tennis lessons thanks to the unwavering support of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project” said Naomi Smith, principal, Central Park East II. “We are deeply thankful and appreciate its commitment to our students.”

James Sayer, principal at Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem, is also appreciative. “JMTP has been an incredible opportunity for our students. The program has opened doors to high-level play, college scholarship opportunities, and unforgettable experiences—like meeting Billie Jean King! We’re so grateful for the access and excellence JMTP provides.”

A Vision Realized
SPORTIME Randall’s Island reflects a legacy of corporate and personal commitment, leadership and investment that has been sustained through two recessions and a global pandemic, and funded without the use of any taxpayer dollars. SPORTIME’s commitment to NYC and to its work at SPORTIME Randall’s Island is now 20 years in the making, with decades and generations more to come.

“We raised, borrowed and invested $75 million to build the largest and best publicly accessible indoor tennis facility in the world on NYC parkland, and owned by NYC, at which we welcome players and students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds,” said Okin. “We are very proud of what we have built, and even more excited about the opportunities that these world-class facilities will create for our players, coaches, and community members, and, most of all, for our kids.”

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Editor’s Note – Here is DropBox with photos to accompany the release – Click HERE

Media Contact:
Jennefer Witter
The Boreland Group Inc.
917.532.9907
Jwitter@theborelandgroup.com
 

It's bittersweet graduation for our first preschool class at SPORTIME's Eager Explorers Day Care. Our little graduates accomplished so much and we celebrated with diplomas and DONUTS! 

At SPORTIME Eager Explorers, a small yet vibrant daycare licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, we aspire to create an environment that fosters learning, curiosity, and an early love for sports. Our primary focus is preschool aged development, and our goal is to get your kiddos to love coming to “school” and to be ready for their next steps on their educational journeys.

Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is tailored to engage, excite, and educate our explorers. We utilize the New York State Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards, providing a comprehensive and age-appropriate learning experience that promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development.

But learning at Eager Explorers isn't just limited to a classroom. It extends to the tennis courts, swimming pools, outdoor playgrounds, and other recreational facilities; offering a holistic learning experience that allows children to engage with the world in a fun and meaningful way.

Safety, Security, and Satisfaction
We take pride in our commitment to safety, security, and the satisfaction of our explorers and parents & guardians. Licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, we meet and strive to exceed all health and safety guidelines.

Our well-trained staff is thoroughly vetted and undergoes regular training to ensure they are up-to-date with the best practices in early childhood education and care. Our low child-to-staff ratio ensures that every child receives the personalized attention and care they deserve.

As a part of the SPORTIME family, we are dedicated to fostering a community that values education, health, and sportsmanship. Join us at SPORTIME Eager Explorers and watch your little explorer grow, learn, and excel in an environment that is as nurturing as it is exciting.

For more information on how your child can become a part of our Eager Explorers family, please visit our webpage at www.sportimeny.com/eagerexplorers