A TENNIS club aims to raise £15,000 to replace some of its facilities.
Stocksfield and District Tennis Club is hoping to raise the cash to replace court surfaces, fencing and floodlights.
It also hopes to attract new members, who may not be aware of the small club hidden at the other end of Guessburn.
Its existing court surfaces have become dangerous to play on and previous temporary fixes are no longer viable.
The current court surfaces, installed in 2008, have come to the end of their lives.
The club invested in having the surfaces rejuvenated two years ago but now the courts fail to drain properly and have become uneven.
The club is replacing the slippery courts and the damaged fencing around them.
The fencing around the single court is old and retaining posts have rotted through to the extent some are completely broken and may fall, causing a safety concern which requires urgent replacement.
The club is also hoping to add two new access gates to the fencing, which could be used by those with impaired mobility and provide access for maintenance equipment.
The club is keen to replace its sodium lighting with more environmentally friendly LED floodlights and is seeking the wider community’s help.
The club has accumulated, through members' subscriptions and fundraising activities, a development fund to cover a significant portion of the projected expense.
However, due to the extent of repairs needed, the club is asking for the community's support.
Club chairman Mark Johnson said: “Stocksfield and District Tennis Club has been expertly run by volunteers since its foundation in 1956 and is a well-managed and well-supported club.
"However, the club is facing a number of items of exceptional expenditure, therefore in order to ensure it remains a safe and accessible facility for its members and the community we are appealing to local businesses and residents for assistance.
"We suffered damage to our property during Storm Arwen, damp was discovered in our clubhouse which necessitated replacing half of the flooring, and with subscriptions falling during Covid, our reserves have fast become depleted. Any donation, no matter what size, will be gratefully received and used to ensure the longevity of our club.”
To donate, go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/stc-development.
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