Tennis centre in need of $70k help

ACE: Junior players and coaches celebrate the opening of the three courts to the public at Masterton Tennis Centre in 2004.PHOTO/FILE

Three tired, well-worn courts at the Masterton Tennis Centre in Dixon St - estimated to have been used by 15,000 players over the years - need some tender loving care, and a grant of $40,000 from the district council to get them back on the road.

At annual plan meetings this week, centre president Peter Martin said the three courts at the front of the complex were for free public use but after 20 years the surfaces had become very worn and damaged on the bases and sidelines.

They are the only public courts in Masterton, being part of the artificial turf complex, and the centre was seeking the grant to renew them.

It was also seeking an additional grant of $30,000 to help with the installation of floodlights for three other courts.

Mr Martin said floodlit courts would allow the centre to offer evening tennis as do other tennis clubs in Wairarapa.

A grant from council would top up money needed to finish the installation as about 75 per cent of the money needed has already been forthcoming helped by grants from Trust House and Eastern and Central Community Trust.

Mr Martin said agreement to light the three courts had been received from all neighbours and the project has resource consent.

He said said the centre is "certain" lack of lights has restricted play in autumn, winter and early spring.

There was increasing demand for night tennis, especially for players aged from 20 to 40.

Mr Martin said the centre, in conjunction with Sport Wellington Wairarapa, has been heavily promoting tennis in the past two years.

Membership has grown 100 per cent and includes 50 junior club players.

The centre is recognised as the home of tennis in Wairarapa and hosts all Wairarapa Tennis association tournaments and coaching courses.