A £31,000 project to extend sport and recreation opportunities in Gatehouse has been completed.
The new floodlights at Gatehouse Tennis Club will mean more playing time in the dark winter nights.
The club – which celebrates its centenary next year – will switch on the lights officially on February 22.
Several local charities chipped in with cash after a positive feasibility study and planning approval.
Club vice chairman Douglas McDavid told the News: “Funding from the Holywood Trust, the John Younger Trust, the Murray Usher Foundation and Gatehouse Development Initiative was absolutely crucial to us.
“Without them this could never have happened.
“The club put in quite a bit of money as well.
“Our thanks also go to Gatehouse Community Council, Gatehouse Primary School, the Drop-in Centre and our immediate neighbour who all supported the project.”
With the court available for longer the club hopes it will encourage more people of all ages and ability to give tennis a
try.
The environmentally friendly LED lighting system uses less power than conventional lights with lower light pollution.
Mr McDavid said: “The floodlights are not going to be running all the time.
“But they will give people an opportunity to be more active in the evening through the autumn and
winter.
“It also means we will have evening coaching sessions – which will be great for youngsters from the drop-in centre, Bunkaroo and the Scouts.
“You never know – there could be a young Andy Murray among us.”
Meanwhile, membership at the club continues to grow – partly as a result of the pandemic.
“Since Covid came along the club has boomed,” Mr McDavid said.
“We are up to 180 members which is absolutely fantastic.
“We hope to welcome new members too.”
He added: “We are very excited.
“A lot of work has gone in to get us there.
“The club is grateful to everyone who has helped.
“And we are just delighted to see this come to fruition.”
The big switch on and games night starts at 6pm.
