By Cassandra Pulver

The official opening this Saturday of the recently redeveloped hard court at the Port Douglas Tennis Club will prep juniors for future tournaments.

Since 2005 a group of tennis players gathered together raised some funds and received funding to take over the derelict courts at their current location.

The courts were reestablished with synthetic grass which, over the years, has proved to be not so good for drainage.  With some new state government funding, Court 1 has now had a complete overhaul to ensure it has correct drainage as well as a hard surface.  

“Tournaments held in Cairns are on hard courts, which meant our few juniors who rose to the top were disadvantaged because they had never played on those hard courts before and could not practice beforehand,” said Alan Lane President of the PDTC.

The PDTC currently has 130 junior players and the club counts attitude and atmosphere as well as coaching for maximum improvement as their ultimate outcomes.

“For now Court 1 will suffice until the junior members become accustomed to the surface.

“For our older members the grass type surface will remain for now.  We are having a major fundraising drive to improve the next two courts beginning this year.  We need $30K to cover the project.  We have currently raised $11k and we are convinced we will reach the target in the next couple of months.  We plan to have the two courts ready for next season in April-May 2016,” said Alan.

The PDTC community event is Saturday 22 August.  Billy Gordon MP will be cutting the ribbon for the official launch of Court 1 at 2:30pm followed by afternoon tea and BBQ.

For more details please contact June 40994690 or 0428956907