Newark tennis club on London Road, Newark, has officially opened after floodlights installation

A tennis club has officially opened its court to the public after a year-long £50,000 fundraising drive.

Newark Tennis Club bought the tennis courts, clubhouse, and access road service to the site from London Road a year ago from Nottinghamshire County Council.

Their first priority after buying the club was to ensure that they could become an all-year-round tennis club, but in order to bring the club in line with other tennis clubs, floodlights were deemed essential which would cost £50,000.

The club’s chairman, Andy Cole said: “We embarked on an intensive fundraising programme with a variety of events.

“Several past and present members have made generous donations and coupled with grants from the Newark Youth Trust and Infinis we have achieved the required total of £50,000.

“With four all-weather courts now floodlit, existing members will benefit from increased playing hours in the form of team practices, social nights, junior coaching and cardio tennis.

“It is hoped that with our improved facilities more players, especially youngsters, will be inspired to take up the sport.”

The flood lights for the four existing hard courts will enable the club to be less reliant on the public courts at Sherwood Avenue during the winter period, and enable an enhanced playing experience, along with wider overall use of the existing facilities.

The new lights are switchable by individual courts, allowing only the courts in use to be illuminated.

The official inauguration took place at the courts on London Road, Newark and welcomed around 30 people on Sunday (December 29).

In attendance were guests from Newark Youth Trust, Newark Town Council, Newark and Sherwood, the former Newark Sports Association and former and current members.

Before switching the lights on and welcoming players onto the courts for an evening of tennis, the chairman, Mr Cole, gave a speech about the achievement.

He said: “It means a lot for our club and shows how much further we can now develop and grow.

“We’ve just lowered our membership for the remainder of the 2024/25 season before the new season starts in April.”