A seven-year project has come to fruition with the installation of 12 outdoor lights at the Tahunanui Tennis Club’s complex at the Tosswill Recreation Ground.
It is a huge boost for the 103-year-old club with resource consent now allowing play till 9.30pm on the four astro turf courts.
“Back in 2019, we sat down and had a think about what avenues we could explore. We talked to other clubs around New Zealand and looked at which major funders we could pitch to,” says club president Colin Harrop.
Club member Kim Welsh became the funding coordinator, and they set about trying to raise the money required, ultimately $95,000.
The Ocean Lodge, Sands Brewery Bar and Kitchen, and the Turf Hotel all helped through revenue from their gaming machines with Pub Charities, contributing $20,000.
The New Zealand Communities Trust allotted $45,000 and the club came up with the remaining $30,000.
“Having these lights will ensure we can play tennis here all 12 months of the year,” declares Colin.
The new lights have also made life a lot easier for not just Tāhunanui but the wider local tennis community.
“All the interclub games during the season are held during the week and we had to play our home matches away in the first and last months. It was costing us money and inconvenience. Now there is also less hassle for the competition coordinators who were trying to fit us in,” says Colin, who’s continuing the long Harrop family history with the club’s administration.
Tāhunanui has about 75 members and is hopeful the greater playing flexibility will see club numbers increase.
“Our playing ranks tend to be the over 50’s. The region needs a younger generation coming through,” maintains Colin, who was busy practicing last Friday night ahead of the interclub season starting next month.