Lottery cash for court upgrade

Saturday 19 May 2001

For over three quarters of a century the membership of Craighelen have enjoyed participating in the game of tennis and squash. Today, Craighelen Lawn Tennis and Squash Club are celebrating the completion of a four-year project to redevelop and upgrade tennis courts 4 & 5.

"The Lottery funding for the Craighelen extension will enable more local people to participate in their chosen sport."

Made possible with an award of £20,790 from sportscotland, the club have extended their facilities by upgrading the two courts with new artificial grass and subsurface, fencing, and county standard floodlighting.

The project is aimed at encouraging new members to the club and directly establishing links with local schools, clubs and associations.  A comprehensive coaching programme is available to provide children with the opportunity to benefit from tennis lessons.

Mr Ken McDonald, Property Trustee, said: "It is pleasing to see the results of the Club's efforts on courts 4 & 5 finally come to fruition.

This project is just the start of an ongoing development programme for the provision of quality sporting activities for young and not so young alike. It is also particularly pleasing to be able to open renovated squash courts 1 and 2 which have been adapted for coaching purposes.

"Our thanks to sportscotland and Argyll and Bute Council for their financial assistance and ongoing support."

Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said:  "We are committed to providing local communities with the best facilities to meet their needs. The Lottery funding for the Craighelen extension will enable more local people to participate in their chosen sport."