This month, the Bethpage Park Tennis Center will open the first of two climate-controlled tennis bubbles that will permit year-round tennis for Long Island tennis buffs.

According to Global Golf, the facility's management company, the new tennis bubbles promise far greater benefits to the bi-county area than year-round tennis. Company president Neal Trabich, noted that plans include structured community programs under the facility's planned Community Advocacy Program. "We hope to reach out to those segments of the community that do not now have the opportunity, or means, to participate in the game," Trabich said.

Steve Kaplan, the facility's director, and member of the community Advocacy Executive Board, remarked that the new facility promises a solid opportunity for all Long Islanders to enjoy the sport. "The emergence of the tennis center provides not only affordable tennis, but a broadening of the interest in the sport by making it more accessible to beginners, amateurs and devotees," Kaplan said.