Three cheers for new court
THE racquets were out in force and good cheer was in the air at the unofficial opening of Gordonton Tennis Club’s newly surfaced court last night.
Locals came together to try out the court with a shared meal, says club wrangler Ant Rigter.
“It was finished last Thursday and everyone was pretty excited. Many city clubs have got new courts, it’s nice to see ours in action.”
The new surface is AstroTurf filled with sand and took about a week to install, including two days filling holes and cracks in the old asphalt.
After rolling out the turf, 35 tonnes of sand was evenly distributed and brushed in and new posts and nets installed.
“The new surface provides a more even surface and means it isn’t slippery when it rains. It’s also more comfortable to play on.”
The three courts cost $49,000, and the net posts and nets about $4000. Club members have been fundraising for more than 10 years, holding business house competitions and received grants from the Gordonton District Committee and Waikato District Council.
The club, which was founded in 1918 and currently has around 20 members and 25 juniors receiving lessons on Friday evenings.
“There’s been a lot of interest in the resurfacing project, and with the city moving north we believe membership will grow,” he said.
“We have a very social and friendly club. Anyone can come and play on the courts, it’s a public facility.”
A formal opening of the new facility will be held in late January 2016 once the whole project is completed.
• Club nights are on Tuesdays from 6.30pm, all welcome.
For more details, contact Ant on 824 3989 or 027 458 7732. Or click here to send him an email. He’d love to hear from you.
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