Tennis club rebounds with new courts

Steve Wall at Omokoroa's new tennis courts in the Western Ave Sports Ground. Photo / John Borren

Tennis has taken a giant leap forward at Omokoroa after spending 22 years relegated to school courts and a group of retired players.

The Omokoroa Community Tennis Club has started using the two new astro-turf courts at the Western Ave Sports Ground, with October's official opening to be the culmination of three years' hard work and planning.

It marks the beginning of the planned transformation of the sportsground into a fully fledged $1.5 million sports and recreation centre to cater for an expected influx of young families into Omokoroa.

However, big funding hurdles remain to be overcome, with the $585,000 pavilion and toilets required to be nearly all funded from non-council sources.

The town's population was expected to double over the next 10 years to more than 5000 people, with the Housing Accord boosting the area's appeal for young couples looking to buy affordable homes.

Steve Wall, of the tennis club, said it was exciting to be finally using the courts after such a long period of working with the Western Bay District Council. The prospect of new courts had seen membership grow to over 100 players.

"The courts are being well-used and club sessions are well-attended. It is a good example of people working together to provide a community facility," he said.

Mr Wall said it was now an all-age-groups and all-abilities club, with members ranging in age from 6 to 88. They were now looking for a coach for the younger players.

Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust provided $68,000 funding for the astro turf and flood lights, with the council putting in $140,000 to build the basic asphalt courts and fences.

Scott Parker, the council's reserves and facilities projects manager, said it has been an interesting project because of the level of community involvement.

Two further courts were planned to be built in 2017/18 although no decision had been made on where they would go. "There are a couple of options."

Mr Parker said the in-kind contribution to the project by Omokoroa contractors and volunteers had saved about $20,000.

Construction of the next new feature of the sports ground, the $150,000 skate path, was due to start by early next year. Stage one was going out for tender, with the council putting in $100,00 and Omokoroa's skateboarding group $50,000.

"If tenders are low we could end up building more than we were planning to do."

A playground was also planned as part of the sportsground development.