The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Town Tennis Club believes it now has the best playing surface in the county after a £30,000 investment.
The upgraded Plexipave acrylic courts are the same surface used at some major international events.
Club vice-chairman Howard Baxter said: “We first had acrylic courts in 2001 and they had got to the point where they needed refurbishing.
“Now we have really got the best playing surface in Lincolnshire.
“It’s a brilliant surface to play on and is kind to older players because it’s cushioned.”
The club based in Holyrood Walk is keen to spread the word of its fantastic facilities and welcome new members.
As well as the three new courts, there are three Tarmac courts which have floodlights.
Members have an electronic gate pass which enables play at any time, and also use of the clubhouse facilities at the squash club.
For those wanting to play competitively, there are junior, male, female and mixed teams.
Resident coach Glenn Perkins is Lawn Tennis Association Level 3 standard and offers both group sessions and one-to-one to all ages and abilities.
TOP NOTCH: The newly-refurbished courts at Spalding Tennis Club. Photo by NIKKI CLUCAS
A talented player who broke into Spalding’s 2nd team aged 11 and graduated to the top team at 13, Perkins has been coaching players at the club for more than four years.
The current membership has just increased to 80 and the aim is to attract at least 20 more by the end of the year.
Baxter added: “We’ve just started to get Polish members.
“There’s a huge untapped Eastern European community in and around Spalding and we’re really trying to reach out to them too.
“A lot of them are young and sporty and I think many don’t know we exist.”
Annual membership fees range from £20 for under-tens to £95 for seniors. For over-70s the cost is £56 and a family subscription for two adults and two juniors is £200.
Baxter said: “We’re a friendly club with a very foward-thinking committee.
“Anyone passing by is welcome to come in and talk to us about what’s on offer.”
The club has an open day on Saturday, June 13 (2pm-5pm).
- Club website www.spaldingtennis.co.uk
