Tank Installation/Court Watering Update

Whilst we now have our own water storage we are still working within the requirements of an approved Water Conservation Plan and in accordance with current "Stage 2" water restrictions.

Our mains water consumption is at record lows due to our water saving efforts, both through the chemical treatment of the courts and also due to the success of our Tank Installation Project. For the past three years we have been operating almost completely on tank water and in the warmer months we use a combination of Tank Water/Mains Water to assist us in keeping all courts open at all times.

It is important that all members continue to use water wisely but also ensure that our courts are adequately watered prior to play – both for player safety and to ensure that our courts are maintained in their above average state.

Thanks to all those members who assisted in any way with the completion of our 2007/2008 Tank Installation Project. Well over 250 voluntary hours were logged during the project in addition to the many hours spent on planning in the months prior. We finally received council approval to commence works on 22^nd December 2007 and on the next day several members commenced      on-court excavation works (on an ironically extremely wet Saturday!!)  The actual construction phase of the project went relatively smoothly and the final result has so far proved to be a very practical and easy to use system.

The General Committee wish to acknowledge the efforts of all Club volunteers who assisted with the completion of the project and saved us many thousands of dollars!!! – George Coster, Wal Reddington, Ken Baird, Doug Gussin (now dec.), Andrew Pitts, Scott Green, David Inglis, Peter Moore, Paul Holloway, Daniel King, Stan Innes, Louis Crawford & Glenn Cugura.

Special thanks to our Club President, Dom Alberico, for managing the project and for his unwavering persistence in the many dealings with WCC representatives, Tennis Victoria, SRV and the various contractors.

Also the committee wish to acknowledge the Victorian State Government (SRV Drought Relief Funding) and Tennis Australia for their financial support of the project. The many hours spent by Dom on lodging the two funding applications proved to be very worthwhile with SRV contributing $14,567.30 & Tennis Australia contributing $8,184.00. The final cost to the Club was $11,939.08.

Let’s hope that our members continue to enjoy the benefits of our Tank Installation Project for many years to come!                                                      

 

It is vital that members follow the steps below when using the courts:

Water the courts when necessary prior to the start of play and at the end of every set or session!!

Playing on dry courts may cause severe damage as the top layers of the court can disintegrate.

Please remember to water the area behind the baselines.

Wear proper tennis shoes. Tennis shoes should be non-marking and have a flat sole. Cross-trainers and heeled shoes are not appropriate and damage the courts. Also, note that some shoes marketed as tennis shoes may be designed for hard-courts and not be suitable for our porous courts.

Bag the courts. Bagging the courts involves pulling the drag mats over the court surface to erase all footmarks and provide an even spread of surface particles. Please remember to bag the entire court including the area behind the baselines. Courts should be bagged at the conclusion of each set played or at least every hour if just playing socially. In periods of warm weather bagging the courts may produce large amounts of dust; to avoid this, water the courts prior to bagging.

Facility Improvements

Hopefully Club members will have noticed the following recent improvements:

1) Our Tank Installation Project was carried out between late December 2007 & early March 2008. Thanks must go to the small group of volunteers who contributed over 250 voluntary hours to ensure that the project was completed. We are greatful for the financial support received from the Victorian State Government and Tennis Australia. Together with the voluntary and financial input from our Club we have ensured that our courts will be able to be maintained in above average condition despite the continuing drought for the benefit of all members and visitors to our valuable community asset!!

2) All court nets have been upgraded to the latest “Oxley” Championship nets with side stabilizers. We are one of the first metropolitan Clubs to have installed these premium quality tennis nets. A reminder to all players that leaning on, swinging on, jumping over etc., is not only personally dangerous but does cause damage to the nets and is not appropriate behaviour!!!

3) Installed on all courts are the latest in top quality drop down net-winders. Again we are amongst the first metropolitan Clubs to have installed these safer and more user friendly net winders.

4) Pictured at below is also our new net height measuring sticks. This lightweight all weather equipment is more user friendly than our previous heavy black tubes which were in need of replacement.