JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- City officials are hoping to save some money by charging tennis players for the use of certain courts.

The tennis centers that may be affected are currently owned and kept up by the city. However, the city wants to pass maintenance over to private companies.

If the deal works out, the tennis center would be publicly owned but privately maintained. The proposed change has left many players wanting to know how much additional cash it would cost them.

"We're a little afraid that it might cost us a lot more," said Joyce Duncan, who plays at Boone Park.

Both Boone Park and Southside Tennis are currently owned and maintained by the city. Players said the fees are very reasonable -- $2.50 for an hour and a half of play or $100 for a full year. If the city partners with a private management company, the property would still be public but the price to play would likely go up.

"We like what we're doing as far as what it's costing us and it's just like a big family. We'd hate to see that change," said Boone Park tennis player Gail Touchton.

One city employee estimated that the move could save the city as much as $200,000 per year.

Kelley Boree, who works with the Parks and Recreation Department, said it cost the city $366,000 a year to maintain both tennis centers. She said the revenue from tennis memberships only covers 25 percent of the expenses.

"The request for the proposal that we have sent out states that the city will review and approve any additional fees that are asked by the managing agencies," Boree said.

She said it is possible the change would indeed cause the prices to go up.

"There's no other place in the city or in the country that I know of where you can go play on a clay court and pay the low fees that the city affords you," said Stacey Allen, who has been playing and coaching tennis at Boone Park for decades. "If they are looking out for people and not just for profit, then it's going to be good for everybody. The city needs to find way to cut their budget and save money and I think this is one of the ways."

The city said if the deal goes through, the workers who currently maintain the park would be moved to work in other parts of town.