Tennis club celebrates renovations

THE Geilston Bay Tennis Club has celebrated the completion of a recent renewal project which involved the construction of fencing and lights on court five.

The project was completed in time for the club’s Open Day on 11 February, which featured a barbecue, social tennis, coaching sessions and half-sized courts set up for young children to play on.

A week prior, the club held an event to celebrate the completion of the latest project, with club president Campbell Palfrey telling the crowd that over five separate projects the club has now renewed four court surfaces and most of the fencing, and upgraded lighting to five courts.

“The completion of these projects sees the culmination of some nine years of hard work by the club to renew most of our playing facilities,” he said.

The five projects were funded by contributions of $190,000 from the Tasmanian Government through Communities, Sport and Recreation, $50,000 from the

Clarence City Council, and $144,000 from funds raised by the club’s members.

The Council also provided significant in-kind support such as help with the development application process and workplace health and safety requirements.

“While the club’s contribution has been significant, without the support we have been given, keeping the facilities in the good state required in a timely manner would be beyond a club such as ours,” Mr Palfrey said.

“We are very appreciative of that support.”

Mr Palfrey said that completing these renewal projects meant the club’s volunteers could now focus on the next challenges facing the club — attracting the next generation of players, and streamlining governance practices so the load on the next wave of volunteers remains manageable.

Anyone interested in joining the Geilston Bay Tennis Club or finding out about social tennis sessions can email contactgbtc@gmail.com