FAQ
Manhattan Community Squash Center
FAQ
What is your mission?
To make squash more accessible to the general public. We will be New York’s first and only public, non-profit, dedicated squash facility specifically designed to help make the sport more visible, vital, accessible and affordable. We will offer membership discounts to reach a more diverse socioeconomic audience.
Why are you called Manhattan Community Squash Center?
We are the opposite of exclusive. We are here for everyone. We have committed to ourselves, our friends and the IRS that our membership will be a reflection of the community we are in. Our outreach will be broad and our policies inclusive.
Where are you located?
25 West 39th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues. We will occupy the entire 13,400 sq. ft. 5th floor of the historic Engineering Societies Building, a majestic 13-story landmark structure designed by Hale & Rogers with Henry G. Morse.
How do I get there?
Located in the epicenter of Manhattan, we are one block south of Bryant Park, and only minutes from Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal, Penn Station and 17 subway lines: #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, N, R, Q, W.
What amenities will you have?
We will have five state-of-the-art international singles squash courts as well as full-service changing facilities with showers, lockers and laundry; warm-up, cool-down and stretching areas; a pro-shop and a comfortable lounge/cafe offering food, drinks and a setting designed for socializing.
When will you open?
Summer 2019.
Will fitness equipment be available?
Yes, there will be a variety of exercise and fitness equipment in our facility however we won’t be a full-scale gym. All of our equipment will be focused on improving and complementing your squash skills.
Will video analysis be available?
We are working on it. Please stay tuned.
Will you be promoting women’s membership?
Yes, Manhattan Squash will offer a weekly women-only round-robin and consider launching women’s squash-based fitness classes that are not skill-based. Since women are typically under-represented in squash, we will also form a select committee to promote women’s membership. If you’d like to get involved, email info@TheSquashCenter.org.
What squash programs will you offer?
There will be group and individual squash instruction and physical training, club and local tournament play, leagues, clinics, round-robins, a comprehensive junior program as well as international matchups.
Who will oversee squash programming?
Peter Nicol and his staff at the Nicol Champions Academy (NCA) will be in charge of all squash activities. Former World No. 1 for 5 years, Peter now lives in New York and has turned his passion from playing squash to coaching. Founded in 2012, NCA offers year-round squash programs, day and summer camps, overnight intensives, pre-season bootcamps, tournament training, and sports psychology and leadership workshops in the US and internationally.
Who will be designing and constructing your courts?
ASB
Will there be online booking?
Yes, we will be using US Squash’s automated online booking system: Club Locker.
What will your hours be?
We are planning to open at 6:30am and close at 11pm. These hours are subject to change.
How long will court sessions be?
45 minutes starting at 6:30am
What are the Peak & Off-Peak hours?
Peak times will be weekdays from 7:15-8:45am, 11:45am-2pm and 5:45-8pm. All other weekday times and the entire weekend are Off-Peak.
How will court time be allocated?
Junior clinics will be held from 3:30-5:45pm on four of the five courts. Outside of 3:30-5:45pm, all courts will be available for regular reservations.
Other squash activities will be scheduled on an ad-hoc basis. These include league matches, clinics, and round-robins.
One court will be set aside for private lessons but will be available for bookings whenever lessons are not scheduled.
Will ALL members have an ample chance to play?
We will be limiting our memberships so that everyone who joins has ample opportunity to book and play. We will also establish rules as to how many Peak-time reservations any one member can make at the same time.
Will there be a cafe/lounge?
There will be a comfortable cafe/lounge area serving food, drink and squash talk.
Will I be able to buy beer and wine?
We will apply for a liquor license and if granted, will sell beer and wine, but nothing stronger.
Will there be permanent locker and racquet storage?
There will be locker and racquet rental storage for an incremental charge to be determined at a later date.
Will there be laundry service?
Yes, but pricing will be determined at a later date.
What will the guest policy be?
Members will get one free guest pass per quarter and will be allowed an unlimited number of guests for $35 per guest per session, although the same guest may only come once per month. The $35 fee covers the guest’s court charge but non-Unlimited members are still required to pay their own court fee.
What if I prepay a full year in advance?
If you pay for an entire year in advance you will get a 5% discount in addition to any other offers you are eligible for.
Will there be a referral bonus for getting new members to join?
Yes, for every person you get to sign up, you earn one free month of membership. Get 10 people to sign up and receive a full year’s membership free.
What are your membership plans?
Off-Peak @ $99/month — Our most affordable plan. Play anytime except Peak hours (weekdays 7:15-8:45am, 11:45am-2pm and 5:45-8pm) with court fees of $5 per session.
Pay-to-Play @ $199/month — An intermediate plan where you can play anytime with court fees of $5 per Off-Peak session and $12.50 per Peak session.
Unlimited @ $299/month — Play anytime with NO court fees.
Will there be any discounted memberships?
Yes, for college/university students and recent college/university graduates:
— Current college/university students taking a full course load are eligible for a 35% discount on all membership packages.
— College/university graduates who earned their degree within the last 3 years are eligible for a 25% discount on all membership packages.
And for individuals and families based on income:
— Individuals with incomes below $75,000 are eligible for discounted memberships, some as low as $32/month.
— Individuals whose families have incomes below $115,000 are eligible for discounted memberships, some as low as $32/month.
What is your freeze/cancellation policy and am I committing for one year?
All memberships are year-long commitments with the following exceptions:
— We will give everyone who signs up before we open the opportunity to cancel when their next payment is due (usually one month after opening for regular members and three months after opening for Charter Members).
— You can freeze your membership if you are injured and cannot play until such time as you are able to play again.
— You can cancel your membership for extenuating circumstances, such as if you move outside the metropolitan area or suffer a severe economic hardship (e.g., loss of work). Please contact us if this happens.
— You can cancel by converting the balance of your annual membership to a
tax-deductible donation to Manhattan Squash at any time.
Note: See our Membership section for full details on eligibility, income brackets, and verification requirements.
What is the Donation Matching Program?
We have been blessed with a major benefactor who will match ALL donations made before our opening up to $100,000. Please give now!
How do I become a Founding Member?
Make a significant multi-year donation to support Manhattan Squash and receive “Unlimited” membership for those years as well as: priority and guaranteed access to Nicol Champions Academy programs; VIP admission to all gala festivities, major tournaments, show matches and other select club events; complementary locker, laundry and racquet storage; generous guest privileges for you to host friends and family; exclusive Manhattan Squash swag; and a tax deduction equal to approximately half the amount you donate.
What is Landmark Support?
Landmark support is just that. It’s big … and lasts as long as we do. Some examples: court-naming rights, cafe/bar-naming rights, tournament-naming rights. Contact us for opportunities we can custom fit for you.
Why are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation?
We’ve all had incredibly positive experiences playing squash which is why we want to make it more accessible. Manhattan has enough exclusive, private clubs. We want a facility where the general public can enjoy squash, like a YMCA for squash (only cooler and more modern).
Who is your parent organization?
The parent organization of Manhattan Community Squash Center is The Squash Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose ultimate goal is to build squash facilities around the world. Manhattan Community Squash Center in the heart of the Big Apple is our first location.
I support your mission! How can I help?
There are many ways: donations/gifts, matching grants, founding memberships, and through landmark support (court-naming rights, cafe/bar naming rights). You can also donate items or services of value, buy our branded merchandise, or just tell all your friends and squash buddies about us! 100% of all donations goes to court construction and subsidizing discounts for those eligible for assistance. Join our team!
Visit Donate for details.
