Time running out to get Aviemore project over the tennis line
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A strath tennis club is agonisingly close to reaching its target for a £394,000 all-weather community venue but needs to net £20,000 more by the end of the weekend to get it over the line.
Rothiemurchus and Aviemore Tennis Club issued a rallying call five weeks ago to raise £80,000 before the end of July for the second phase of its Courts4All project.
Phase one of the project – polymeric surfaces at the three existing courts at Inverdruie – has now been completed and there has been great feedback from local and visiting players.
But the club also wants to add a fourth covered court in woodland by the venue which can be used in all weather and not only by sports groups but the likes of the Cubs and Scouts, Guides, playgroups, charities and even for children’s parties and ceilidhs.
The club is just £20,000 short of its target but if the remaining money is not found by end of play then the public funds will be lost and the scheme will go back to square one.
The club sent out correspondence to local businesses in mid-June once the funding pressures became apparent appealing for contributions and was delighted with the response. Now they are keeping their fingers-crossed that generous businesses and donors can complete the last piece of the jigsaw
Club treasurer Yvonne Birnie has stressed that the additional court will be a venue for all kinds of activities and groups and not just for the use of its tennis members.
She said: "We are so, so close to building this covered area which will be well used by the community in the winter months and the wet days in the summer.
"We have been sending round letters to local businesses asking for help with the shortfall and we have had great contributions from several of them. However, we are still short and this is a last-ditch plea for anyone out there to help us meet the target.
"Without being able to confirm this extra money to funders by Monday then the project will fall through – all of the funding that has been put together from several sources will be lost.
"This really is the last chance. We will not have another opportunity to source the majority of the funding that is now in place."
Mrs Birnie said that donations would only be drawn down if the target is reached and payment would not be required for a further month.
The covered court will be twice the size of a tennis court with the polymeric surface and players and other users protected by a stretched canopy. Tomatin already has a similar venue which has proved popular.
To donate, or get more details, contact Mrs Birnie by email at info@ybirnie.co.uk or by calling 07711318016 or phone Joan Knox on 07597 904810.
