CLEVEDON TENNIS CLUB STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

THE CLUB

The Clevedon Tennis Club (CTC) was founded in 1892, making it one of the oldest clubs in New Zealand and is situated in South Auckland on the outskirts of Clevedon village.  It currently comprises 5  astro-turf courts, a volley wall, and Clubrooms with an outdoor BBQ area.    Membership currently sits at around 200 with a great mix of young and old, drawn from families around the community.  The Club fields four Interclub teams (Men’s / Ladies / Mixed  and Juniors) that compete in the Auckland Tennis Club Grades. Club nights are Tuesday nights and Business House on Mondays and Thursday.  We estimate the Clubhouse to be around 50 years old.


CLEVEDON GROWTH

The new Clevedon Village Structure Plan is now operative and Clevedon will soon be subject to the subdivision and development provided for by Plan Change 32.  Combined, the Franklin and Papakura districts are the fastest growing districts in New Zealand.  With a current population of approximately 70,000, by 2040 the area is predicted to grow by another 128,000 residents.


CLEVEDON TENNIS CLUB STRATEGIC PLAN

Given future growth projections, current CTC facilities are not at the standard required to meet either current membership or future membership needs.  The Club Rooms require renovation, courts are subsiding and the current limited number of courts all require attention if we want to meet Club needs as well as the demands growth will place on the facilities.

In anticipation of these demands, the Club has established a Strategic Development Plan to  meet the projected growth and to also resolve current issues with our facilities.

The Strategic Plan allows for staged development of a modern multi-purpose Tennis and Racket Club facility as well as a venue for community use and social interaction.

We recognise that a proactive response to current membership and the projected growth of the area requires great facilities, both on the court and within the Club confines - in the form of our Clubrooms and multi-use facilities.

The Club is currently having an architectural drawing produced to showcase the CTC development visions.    We also note that a Coach has been contracted to assist with player development and growing membership levels as part of the Club’s response to community needs


Key points of the CTC development plan:

• Repair and resurface existing 5 courts
• Upgrading and extend existing Clubhouse
• Upgrading of BBQ area
• Extension of the current 5 courts to 7 tennis courts with the 2 new courts covered
• Upgrading of children’s play area and volley wall
• Upgrading of club lighting to coincide with extension of courts
• Development of a Youth development facility – housed in the current Council owned land and house adjoining CTC land
• Provision for 2 squash courts
• Continued maintenance and upgrading of CTC facilities

CTC plans to progress the developments in structured stages to meet both community need and funding capabilities.



STAGE 1: JANUARY 2017 - REPAIR AND RESURFACE EXISTING FIVE COURTS:

The current courts have experienced various levels of base subsidence, leaving two courts in poor, sub-standard condition which requires remedial sub base work and resurfacing.

The current court surface is 11 years old and due to subsidence and the need for consistency between  the playing surfaces of all courts, all five require resolution of the base subsidence issue as well as resurfacing.

Remedial work is planned for the later stages of Summer/Autumn 2016 to allow for meeting the 2016 Membership and Interclub playing needs. Due to dedicated fundraising efforts, CTC proposes to apply for funding from 3 funders for $75,000 each towards the court upgrade and contribute $150,000 of Club money ourselves.



STAGE 2:  UPGRADING AND EXTENSION OF EXISTING CLUBHOUSE

Upgrading and extension is required to meet existing Members’ needs along with anticipated growth and development of the facilities.

Plans are afoot to expand the Clubhouse to  two stories with a balcony.  The upgraded Clubhouse would include an extended bar and food area / showers / changing facilities / Junior area / storage and Coach's area.    Commencement dates would be subject to Council consent time frames and funding opportunities, but are planned for the later part of 2016.  Clevedon Tennis Club has earmarked $100,000 towards this with match funding sourced from external Funding organisations.

In conjunction with the planned upgrade of the Clubhouse, the current outdoor BBQ area would be upgraded. This area would allow for increased family social activities and provide built in BBQ facilities for social occasions and Members’ use.  Funding will be incorporated in the Clubhouse upgrade applications.



STAGE 3:  EXTENSION OF THE FIVE CURRENT COURTS TO SEVEN TENNIS COURTS WITH THE TWO NEW COURTS BEING COVERED

CTC Strategic Plan includes provision for future proofing both the tennis facilities and youth development / community activities within the growing Clevedon area. As well as the need to ensure there is sufficient tennis facilities for growth,  CTC vision is to provide covered all-year round tennis playing facilities by way of two covered courts. The covered courts would be additional to the existing five and allow for all-season play.  The covered facility would also enable other non-tennis activities to be conducted such as indoor ball sports,  youth activities and community events.  CTC is working through the requirements and pricing for covered courts and once completed, this research will drive the project. CTC has allocated $100,000 from  our community fundraising for development purposes. The balance of funds will be sourced through funding bodies.

Included in the development of the new covered courts is upgraded court lighting for night tennis. The current lighting is sufficient for the existing courts but will need upgrading within two years. Ongoing maintenance is being provided and it is envisaged upgrading will save money as well as provide superior lighting in line with our upgraded facilities.  CTC would include funding for this as part of the covered courts extensions.

Also included in Stage 3 would be upgrading the children’s play area and practise / warm up volley wall.  These facilities would enhance and be in keeping with upgraded facilities as well as the desire to remain a family Club.


STAGE 4:  - DEVELOPMENT OF A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FACILITY - HOUSED IN THE CURRENT COUNCIL OWNED LAND AND HOUSE ADJOINING CTC LAND

Adjoining the CTC is a property and house which is Council owned. We understand that the Auckland Council has  had expressions of interest relating to the ongoing use of this property.  CTC believes there is a need for a Youth and Community development facility with a sports / physical activity orientation that not only provides the base for sport development but also allows a “drop in” facility for youth looking for activities. It is envisaged that this would be run independently from Council under contract to CTC and provide organised sports related activities and interaction. The full scope of this is yet to be determined but does form part of the CTC long term strategy – especially given the anticipated growth. CTC is developing this concept in conjunction with interested parties and will expand on this over the next 12-18 months to formulate a concept and seek approval / acceptance.


STAGE 5:  PROVISION FOR TWO SQUASH COURTS

CTC believes a “racket club” facility which includes 2 squash courts would best serve the Clevedon community. Modular building development of the existing Clubhouse – during the planned upgrade in 2016 - would allow for ease of extension and development of Squash facilities as interest and numbers grow. Again exploration of this is ongoing and is subject to Council consent but offers a genuine extension to the current tennis offering and would strengthen both membership and community offerings.  Plans will be developed over the next 12-18 months and align to the upgraded facilities in nature and appearance. CTC would allocate a fund base to assist with development and also seek funding assistance from funding organisations.


ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADING OF CTC FACILITIES

Regular maintenance and care of facilities not only extends the life and use of those facilities, but increases the attraction and enjoyment of Members.  One feels better when entering a well maintained Club and gains satisfaction from belonging and seeing membership fees put to good use. CTC holds an Annual Tennis Tournament which is open to all-comers and is held at the Club and various courts around the area. This both social, and semi-serious event attracts people from across the country and is well known. Being CTC’s main source of funding outside membership fees – plans are to continue this annual event for not only the enjoyment of participants but the more serious side of continued self-funding for maintenance and development.


CTC is committed to developing a strong, family-based Club which not only provides fun and competition for the tennis enthusiast, but allows social and physical activities for the greater Clevedon community.