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VIDEO: County council funding helps serve up new clubhouse

Posted onPosted on 29th Oct

One of Nottinghamshire’s oldest sports clubs is celebrating the official opening of its new £140,000 club house.

Nottinghamshire County Council has contributed £50,000 towards the project at Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club, from its Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), with the club meeting the remainder of the costs from its own funds and an interest-free loan from the Lawn Tennis Association.

To watch a video of the opening event go to https://youtu.be/aWhqecD-OOE

It is hoped the new development will help attract even more people from Mansfield and surrounding areas to take up the sport and benefit from improved club facilities.

For nearly 100 years, players at Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club, formed in 1883, have been using a former military hut for meetings, events, refreshments and as their changing facilities. The hut was formerly at the old Clipstone Army Camp and was used by soldiers training for combat in the First World War.

The new clubhouse will provide disabled facilities for the first time and a veranda viewing area for parents to watch their children during coaching sessions and summer camps.

The clubhouse was officially opened by Nottinghamshire County Council chairman, Coun Kevin Rostance.

Coun John Handley, vice-chairman of the Communities and Place Committee at the council, which approved the Local Improvement Scheme grant for the project, said: “This is a fantastic example of how the Local Improvement Scheme is helping make sport more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club has active members ranging from six to over 80 years of age!

“I hope the improved facilities will encourage even more people to become members of this historic club.”

Coun Joyce Bosnjak, local member for Mansfield North, who supported the club’s application for LIS funding, added: “Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club is a real asset to the community that continues to do some outstanding work in promoting tennis and keeping people of all ages healthy.”

Sharon Cox-Smith, chairman of Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club, and a member since 2005, said:
“The new clubhouse will provide a warm, clean secure environment to all our members and visitors alike and by re-positioning the clubhouse into the centre of the site this allows a good view point down the whole of the site which is very pleasing to the eye. The clubhouse will be available to hire within the local community for groups wishing to meet.

“This project would not have been possible without the funding obtained from Nottinghamshire County Council’s local improvement scheme.

“Thank you to all the people involved in helping to deliver this project which is a real asset to the community.”

Sue Williams, from Mansfield, a member of the club for more than 16 years added: “It’s great news that the club has a new clubhouse. The old one was very decrepit and was cold and unwelcoming.

“I am sure that having a new, modern, inviting clubhouse will make a huge difference to the club and will encourage visitors and help us to attract new members to the club.”