DeSoto residents packed the City Council chambers on Aug. 19, calling on city leaders to restore Madison Ace Racket Sports at ThornTree Golf Club after the program’s sudden removal left more than 200 tennis and pickleball players without affordable access to the sport.
Supporters described the program as more than recreation, emphasizing its role in promoting health, building community connections, and boosting nearby businesses.
Many warned that without Madison Ace, DeSoto risks losing not only a thriving tennis and pickleball scene but also the sense of belonging the initiative fostered for families and residents across the city.
Many residents said the sudden removal of Madison Ace left more than 200 players without affordable access to racket sports and created a void in DeSoto’s recreation offerings.
“Without this program, there is no tennis in DeSoto,” said resident Tatiana Williams, who noted the program provided lessons, clinics, and tournaments while drawing visitors who supported local restaurants and shops.
Resident Marie Crow called the decision a shock after years of steady participation. “We had a very thriving tennis program where 200 people were taking lessons and playing in the morning and afternoon … and all of a sudden it stopped. Now we have nothing.”
Jenny Tai, a Dallas County resident with a financial background, urged the city to seriously consider Madison Ace’s proposal to return.
“Please consider Mr. Jamal Madison’s proposal to ThornTree Golf Club and Encore Real Estate Investment Services,” Tai said, adding she would even volunteer financial expertise to evaluate the plan.
For DeSoto resident Deandra Wilcher, the loss was personal. “It’s more than just tennis, it’s community, it’s wellness and it’s pride,” she told the council, explaining that she and her children had built friendships and a sense of belonging through the program.
The council did not take formal action Tuesday but acknowledged the outpouring of testimony.
Mayor Rachel Proctor said the concerns were “duly noted” as city leaders continue to weigh the future of the Thorn Tree facility and its programming.
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