Court Update 11/01/17

Members will be pleased to hear that the project to replace the 3 blaes courts, with a new artificial clay surface, is still being progressed.

Fund raising is taking a lot longer than anticipated; however, the situation is as follows:

We are at the final stage of our application to Sport Scotland and LTA/Tennis Scotland. The Sport Scotland Project Manager has stated that the final decision meeting should take place on 24th February, so we still have a little time to wait for an answer. The LTA meeting is scheduled for January.

The above are the main funders and the whole project revolves around receiving the required amounts from them. If they cut back on our requested amounts, we may need to review the structure of the project, which includes the artificial clay surface and full floodlighting.

We have already received confirmation of an award from Landfill and Peebles Common Good Fund, which together with funds from club resources, gives us the 25% “local funds” required to be provided by us towards the Sport Scotland application.

As the above has taken so long, it is impossible to arrange a contract before the start of the new playing season, therefore the Committee will require to re-furb. the blaes courts again, once we are past the frost period, etc. The whole court project will take about  7-8 weeks, therefore the Committee will need to decide on a suitable “slot” for the works to take place and this will depend on several criteria including the timeline and availability of the approved contractor.

The Planning Permission application is in and a response from Borders District Council should be received before the end of the month.

The Committee are also planning to draw up a scheme for disabled access, widening part of the existing verandah  and provision of new steps. It may also be possible to provide updated (disabled) toilet facilities. This scheme will be part of a separate funding application to be submitted once the drawings/specification/ budget have been produced.

If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards Gordon Russell

(gordon@gordonrussell.net)