Omokoroa Tennis Club treasurer Steve Wall. Photo/George Novak
Omokoroa Tennis Club treasurer Steve Wall. Photo/George Novak
Installation of two new courts at Omokoroa Community Tennis Club could begin in the next two months.
Western Bay of Plenty Council reserves and facilities project and assets manager Scott Parker said installation would begin in July or August this year, although no date had been confirmed.
Mr Parker said$230,000 funding was approved in June 2016 for two new courts, nets, fencing and landscaping at the Omokoroa Sports Ground on Western Ave.
Mr Parker said council completed a review of the Kaimai Ward Reserve Management Plan in 2016.
"This included consultation with the community about plans and priorities for the ongoing development of the Omokoroa Sports Ground.
"Based on the feedback we received council agreed to fund two additional tennis courts."
A recent $65,000 grant from Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust and NZ Community Trust would cover the extra cost of a synthetic turf and floodlights for one of the four courts.
The club opened its first two courts in 2015 and now had 110 members.
"A third of those are juniors," said club treasurer Steve Wall.
He said it was always part of the council's long-term plan to fund extra courts at the Omokoroa Sports Ground on Western Ave.
"When we managed to secure funding for the first two courts, they said in the not-too-distant future they would fund an extra two courts," he said.
"We initially pushed for four courts."
Treasurer Steve Wall (front), with Ian Pittendreigh (left rear), Jeff Warren, Andrew Easton, Simone Jenkins, Sharon Parker, Murray Bigham, Sue Bigham, Jacqui Pittendreigh, Leah Jenkins 5 and Alyssa Easton, 2. Photo/George Novak
Mr Wall said the club lobbied the council again in April and explained the need for two additional courts to cater for the growing number of members.
"Thankfully we have secured the funding for the top surface, artificial grass and lights due to a grant from TECT and NZ Community Trust in the last four weeks.
"Getting four courts will enable the club to grow. It is good news."
Earlier this year, the club had also agreed to affiliate with Tennis Western Bay of Plenty, which meant the club could expand its junior training programme.
"This last year we have run coaching on Saturday mornings with up to 30 students," said Mr Wall.
"They are mainly from Omokoroa Point School and Omokoroa No 1 School and some as further afield as Katikati."
