A tennis management firm is suing the city of Sandy Springs, hoping to block a contract it says was improperly awarded and will result in higher fees at the city’s Tennis Center.
The suit, filed last week in Fulton County Superior Court by Atlanta-based Operation Tennis Inc., claims city leaders ignored bidding guidelines in November by awarding a management contract to Groslimond Tennis Services of Atlanta. It also claims the contract will result in greater profits for the city while, in effect, raising taxes on the tennis-playing public.
Bruce Brown, attorney for Operation Tennis, said the suit disputes claims that Groslimond met requirements in the city’s request for proposals. He said Groslimond used testimonials from people associated with the company to provide third-party endorsements.
“One of the most important features of the RFP was to submit recommendations from third parties,” Brown said. “Groslimond, instead of submitting recommendations from third parties, submitted recommendations from his own crew” in three of four cases.
Operation Tennis was one of two unsuccessful applicants for the contract. The current operator, Ivo Barbic, president of Fulton Tennis Services, is retiring after 23 years of running the facility.
Groslimond’s bid included paying the city $60,000 in rent, almost twice as much as the two competing bidders. The offer, Brown said, may appeal to city leaders, but it essentially will raise fees for participants.
Groslimond’s proposal includes fee increases at the tennis center.
Company president Gery Groslimond would not comment on the suit Friday other than to say, “We are honorable people who went through the procedure honestly.”
The Sandy Springs Tennis Center is one of the area’s premier facilities, with 24 lighted courts, a clubhouse, locker rooms and a jogging trail. It is home to more than 130 teams.
The one-year contract begins Jan. 1.
Sandy Springs City Attorney Wendell Willard said the city does not comment on pending litigation.
“We will, of course, defend the city’s right to select the contract that it did,” he said.
Mayor Eva Galambos issued a statement earlier this month saying Brown’s complaints are groundless. She also said proposed fee increases are reasonable and within market rates.
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