Range ready to light up after renovations

THE Range Tennis Club believes the future is at night after completing the renovations of two court surfaces.

GAME ON: Range Tennis Club secretary Tony Brown in front of one of the brand new court surfaces. Photo: Nev Madsen.

TENNIS: Two fresh new courts have buoyed the spirits for the Range Tennis Club as they continue to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Play is again starting to ramp up at the Lindsay St venue, and a government boost has helped to improve the facilities further.

A $35,000 grant from the Queensland government’s Gambling Community Fund, along with $17,500 from the Toowoomba Regional Council, matched by club funds, has allowed the club to resurface two courts and prepare them for lighting.

Originally the intention of their requests for funding were centred on securing lighting, however a hazard came up that had to be tended to.

“Basically we wanted to put lights in. We got some quotes and put in an application to the Gambling Fund, which was successful,” Range Tennis Club secretary Tony Brown said.

“In between the application and when the grant was approved, one of the main courts started to rip, which became a health hazard.

“We asked if we could transfer the focus from the lighting to resurfacing the grass.

“Then we decided to try and secure council funding, and Tennis Queensland helped prepare an application for the end of January deadline.

“We received an up to $25,000 grant, which wouldn’t allow us to put lights in, but we were able to resurface another court.

“We also installed conduits so that the surface doesn’t have to be ripped up again. Now the next major stage is to try and get a grant for lighting.”

Brown said early feedback on the surface has been positive, with the best set to come once the sand settles.

“We’ve had games since they’ve been laid,” he said.

“The top of the surface has had 13 tonnes of sand, most of which hasn’t worked its way in yet.

“The courts are still reasonably slow, but they are improving and getting faster.

“Another does of rain, about 25-30mm, will do the job. A bit more rain and they will really by A-grade playing conditions.

“Everyone is really happy to play on them at the moment.”

The next goal of the committee is to secure funding to install a lighting system, which would allow greater use of the facilities, including night play.

Brown believes that this would add a new dimension to the club, providing a boost to member numbers and social play.

“If able to do it, it would be great. We’re not hopeful of getting one (a grant) because of all the money that has been put out lately,” he said.

“But this could lead to a doubling of membership. Currently we have around 120 members now, which includes 35 juniors. That could easily double to 250 once we add lights.”

This sentiment is echoed by Tennis Queensland, recognising the importance of being able to play under lights.

“Our research shows that the most popular times to play tennis is between 4pm and 10pm,”

Tennis Queensland facilities development manager Mike Blomer said.

“So the obvious next step is to help our affiliate club to get lighting installed.”

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