- November 5, 2024
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Doug Barthel, director of tennis at the Palm Coast Tennis Center, "is not longer with (the facility), according to Rich Stanfield, general manager of the facility.
Stanfield wouldn't comment as to whether Barthel was fired or resigned, but Kemper Sports sent out a memo Friday, Aug. 10.
Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon said Wednesday in a phone interview that he wasn’t exactly sure of the reasoning as to why Barthel, who was technically an employee of Kemper Sports, was let go. Landon said he was notified Friday of the decision.
“He wasn’t meeting their expectations, and they were not seeing the results they were hoping for,” Landon said.
Barthel was introduced to the City Council during a budget workshop in July.
Barthel, a certified teaching professional for 26 years, was tasked with driving up revenues. At the time, he told the City Council that he planned to make the Tennis Center profitable by establishing increased play during non-peak hours — such as afternoon and evening play — and by reaching out to the younger generations in the Flagler County school system.
“Junior development is key,” Barthel said during the July meeting.
The Tennis Center faces a budget deficit of approximately $120,000 in this year’s budget, according to city documents. The City Council agreed to retool the program, and give the Tennis Center one last shot at becoming self-sustaining or even profitable.
When asked if the firing of Barthel changed the plans, Landon replied: “Absolutely not.”
“I specifically told Kemper Sports that our expectations remain the same and this can’t be used as an excuse,” Landon said. “And (we’re) still expecting the positive results that (Kemper Sports) presented to City Council.”
Landon said Kemper Sports is in the process of hiring a new tennis director.
"I strongly support the idea (of making the change), which is uncommon in government," Landon said. "If it’s not a good match and the expectations are not being met after the employee has been coached ... you have to take the necessary actions.”
