Q.   What is the process to decide whether we go ahead with the Clubhouse and Indoor Court Development and how much of a voice will the members have in the decision?

A.   All adult fully paid up members (aged 18 & over) will be entitled to vote on the decision to go ahead with the development at a General Meeting. The voting process will be one person, one vote and will be decided on a show of hands.

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Q.   Why do we need to have any development?

A.   The development is essential for the long term future of the club.
   • In order to retain and attract new members we must be able to provide facilities that match or better those of other clubs and centres in what is an increasingly competitive market. Our clubhouse is in desperate need of upgrade to meet the needs of current members and to satisfy the expectations of potential new members.
   • Major investment is needed for the core services such as electrics, plumbing, and boiler room plant. These all need to be replaced or upgraded at significant cost, for the ongoing safe and efficient operation of the facilities at the club.
   • Our tennis offer is compromised by the lack of indoor facilities and we will continue to lose members / fail to attract new members who drift to alternative centres offering year round indoor play
   • Indoor tennis facilities will enable us to offer a “weatherproof” guaranteed tennis programme attracting many more junior players and in turn potential new adult members to the club
   • We need indoor courts to retain our status as a key club for the LTA , ensuring their support and financial backing for our junior programmes and any future developments Without any development the club will struggle to attract new members, in turn leading to a drop in membership levels. There will be insufficient income generated for replacement of plant and services or the maintenance of playing facilities and we will see an increasing spiral of disrepair and dissatisfied members. Quite simply the future of the club will be at risk. The business plan that is being finalised will demonstrate that the clubhouse and indoor court development can secure the club’s future. It will allow us to retain and attract new members and to generate surplus income on an annual basis. The financial stability will allow us to maintain the club facilities to the highest standard and fund any future projects that can further secure the club’s future.

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Q.   How will the project be funded?

A.   The development will be funded by a commercial loan and an in principle interest free loan and partial grant from the LTA. The business plan will demonstrate that the project is financially viable and loan repayments will be met through increased income, generated primarily from indoor court fees and increased membership levels. Financial Projections will show that the increased income will not only be sufficient to service our loan commitments, but will also generate annual cash surpluses that can be reinvested in the club facilities and used to finance possible future projects The project does not depend on us increasing future membership fees by any more than the normal annual increment.

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Q.   How will I benefit as a member?

A.   Whether your interest is squash, tennis, fitness, croquet or bridge, you can only gain from the development going ahead. As mentioned above, future annual surpluses as a result of the development will ensure long term reinvestment in the club, maintaining all our facilities at optimum standard for the benefit of all members. Immediate tangible benefits will be:
   • Quality changing and shower facilities for all members
   • New plant and services -consistently comfortable environment – fewer breakdowns
   • More spacious and better equipped fitness centre
   • Modern fitness audio-visual system experience
   • Improved access control and membership management systems leading to better security for members
   • Better facilities for disabled members and their guests
   • Tennis playable in all weather conditions – club night guaranteed
   • No bad weather cancellation of junior tennis coaching groups
   • No bad weather cancellation of club tournaments and events

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Q.   How long will the building work take and when will it happen?

A.   The Indoor Courts will take 10-12 weeks from start to finish and it is our intention to start no later than September 2008, subject to all the necessary approvals and finances being in place. The Clubhouse refurbishment will take circa 26 weeks from a projected commencement in March 2009.

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Click here for the Chairman's Update


Click here for Indoor Court Questions and Answers


Click here for Clubhouse Redevelopment Questions and Answers

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