New hard courts open in Takapau
After years of planning and fundraising, the Takapau Tennis Club has officially opened its new concrete courts in Central Hawke's Bay.
The club has been using the former bowling green as spare grass tennis courts for more than a decade. But after loose cattle destroyed the surface several years ago, the club voted to develop the area into painted concrete courts servicing both tennis and netball.
The two new courts complement the club's existing three astroturf and six grass courts.
The ribbon, held by current junior champions Ben White and Brieleigh Welch, was cut by club patron David Poulton. President Marty Smith said the project was a success because of three groups of people; the cattle scheme members, the contractors and the funding partners.
The $140,000 project has seen more than half the funds donated by the club, plus grants from Grassroots Trust Central (previously known as Infinity) with support from Kerry, John and Crystal Lorck, the Eastern and Central Community Trust, New Zealand Community Trust, Centralines and the Rangahua Trust (Richard Jeffery).
“Those donations made this dream a reality. Without their support, there’s no way we would have got this off the ground," Smith said.
A large portion of the funds was raised by the club’s cattle scheme, which is supported by farmers from around the district, and not all of them tennis players.
“A massive, massive thank you to them. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated and we don’t take that for granted. It’s amazing to have this quality facility available for the community and the school in Takapau.”
Smith thanked the contractors who had put in a "huge effort". They include Drummond Contractors, Adam Construction, Prenters Ready-Mix, K & S Concrete, Smith Sawing and Drilling, Taylor-Made Gates, Central Mobile Engineering - Sam Barry, Kilmister Fencing, Baldwin & Co, Hire It CHB - Jared Posthumus, and Centre Court Surfaces, as well as the Takapau Lions Club.
In cutting the ribbon, Poulton congratulated the club committee for having the vision and the tenacity to see the programme through from inception to the first games being played on the new surface.
“It will be great for tennis and great for the Takapau community", he said.
The two extra courts mean more space for the 100-plus players in the annual Kintail Honey Takapau Tennis Tournament. The men and women's doubles will be held on Saturday, January 9, with the mixed and the Youth & Experience section held the following day.
