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Park board hears concerns about manager changes

Members of the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet Club brought concerns to park commissioners Tuesday about a change of job status for Umang Chadda, the club’s tennis pro and now former racquet sports manager.

Members of the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet Club brought concerns about a change of job status for Umang Chadda, racquet sports manager at the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet Club, to park commissioners Tuesday.

 

  Umang Chadda

About 10 members of the club asked Homewood-Flossmoor Park District commissioners to reconsider the decision that took managerial assignments from Chadda. He now is a tennis pro on staff. He had been racquet sports manager since October 2017.

Dallas Collins, board president, would not say why the change was made, citing employee privacy.

“We’re hoping that he stays indefinitely because he’s an amazing tennis instructor,” said Eileen Rohrer, the club’s director. She said she recognizes Chadda has developed a great relationship with many of the club’s members, but wouldn’t share any more information on the change saying it is a ”personnel change issue.”

Rita Pinkert of Hazel Crest told commissioners she had a petition signed by dozens of people. The petition signers praised Chadda as an outstanding professional who communicates well and has made improvements to the racquet sports programs.

Pinkert said without hearing from the commissioners she could not assess the issues with Chadda’s performance, but she wondered if the racquet sports manager position should be updated. Or, she wondered, should the manager have an assistant.

Mike Cassidy of Flossmoor told commissioners Chadda “is the most professional pro I’ve worked with.” He said Chadda helped improve his game and introduced him to other players. He wondered if the club staff was becoming complacent, while Chadda was moving his programs forward.

Terry DeBruin of Olympia Fields echoed Cassidy’s concerns saying although she’s not a tennis player, she knows a number of residents who have left the club. Cassidy added that the racquet club is a regional draw and “it’s like we’re sabotoging it.”

And, Pinkert pointed out if Chadda leaves it will be the third loss of a racquet sports manager in five years. She saw Chadda as someone who could “bring a little status back to the club.”

 

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