New astroturf tennis courts in Park Avenue
Last Saturday’s wet weather did not deter throngs of Golden Bay’s tennis players from turning up for the opening of the tennis season at the brand new astroturf courts in Park Avenue.
Since concerted efforts three years ago to revive the game in the Bay, tennis has gone from strength to strength with increasing numbers of members.
“It was a great day, despite the wet conditions, and we had 80 registrations. We’re very pleased. The new synthetic grass courts that have just been laid over the old disused ones are fantastic. Waitapu Engineering is finishing the fence this week, and we’ve got a grant from TDC for Helping Hands to clean up the old clubrooms,” said club spokesperson Margie Clark.
Further financial help from a Pub Charity grant will be used to bring two professional coaches to the Bay for six days during the season for the benefit of all players. The club’s 13 community coaches can be proud of the young players selected for the Nelson Development Squads - Caitlin Lund in the 10 years and under group, and Amy Hurst and Frances Clark in the 12 years and under category.
While the focus so far had been on coaching young players, it has now shifted to encouraging adults to play tennis, said Margie, adding that the new courts at Park Avenue are great for players with joint problems.
“This season, we'll be having a more structured adults' tennis doubles competition as well, and we will focus on bringing more adults back to the game and the club.”
Club membership costs $60 for an individual, $100 for two family members and $150 for three or more. Benefits of belonging include weekly junior coaching and competition, interclub and Grasshoppers tournaments, adult social doubles, and subsidised professional coaching.
TDC community services manager Lloyd Kennedy said that the funds had been allocated for the resurfacing of the courts because they had been overdue for such work.
"We were also encouraged by the growth of tennis in the Bay, particularly at the junior level,” said Mr Kennedy. “As well as the fact that the local people have agreed to undertake upgrades of the clubrooms if council did the courts."
The promotion of Golden Bay tennis will not stop there, Mr Kennedy pointed out. Progress is being made on the Collingwood courts as well.
"Agreement has pretty well been reached to replace the two courts in the centre of the camp with new facilities along the road boundary of the camp. We’ve been waiting for the outcome of the reclamation works for access and parking associated with the boat ramp because the current access goes right through where the new courts would be."
Ina Holst
