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Tennis club seeking funding

The last time the Salmon Arm Tennis Club (SATC) tried to secure funding for a proposed indoor facility, plans fell through
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Indoor facility: A rendering of the Salmon Arm Tennis Clubs’ proposed indoor facility. The Development would include three courts and ground level and platform public viewing areas.

The last time the Salmon Arm Tennis Club (SATC) tried to secure funding for a proposed indoor facility, plans fell through.

That was in 2011. This year, spearheaded by the planning committee of Ken Hecker and Winston Pain, the club is hopeful the necessary funds will be acquired.

“We are in a better position now than we were in 2011,” said Hecker.

Since 2010, the club has been planning the construction of an indoor tennis facility on the existing club property, on city-owned land. The new costrction  would increase the number of their courts from four to seven.

The development would include three tennis courts, available for year-round play and both ground level and platform public viewing areas, with the ability for future expansion based on demand.

Financing for the facility would be a cooperative effort through a combination of loan financing to the SATC, available grant funding and donations from the club and private donors from the community.

Hecker said getting a firm picture of the cost of the development that will fit in with their business plan is paramount.

Estimates for the cost of the three-court facility range from $1 million to $1.6 million.

“The cost could be much less than our highest estimate because of the great response from the community,” said Hecker. “Contractors and labourers are offering their services to help complete the project.”

With a growing club membership, the addition of the facility would allow the club to adapt to their rising numbers and offer members year-round opportunities to play, instead of five months out of the year on the outdoor courts.

One local company, Econospan, has stepped up to offer their services to construct the planned steel building.

The project would employ two full-time positions and be supported by SATC members and volunteers, which is consistent with the current club operations of the four outdoor courts.

If successful in securing the required funding, the project will proceed in 2016, with plans to open for the winter season.