Our short winter days and gloomy autumn evenings will no longer hamper the opportunities for tennis players in Buxton. Thanks to a major grant from a national Tarmac fund, Buxton Tennis Club is making plans to install a state-of-the-art floodlight system.
The project will involve the installation of floodlights using environmentally friendly LED lighting and technology to prevent light ‘spillage’. The lights will significantly extend the playing time available on the Club’s three courts and enable more members of the community to give tennis a try.
Whilst Tarmac operates several sites locally including Tunstead, Hindlow and Ballidon, it is thanks to the company’s national Landfill Communities Fund* that the Tennis Club has received this boost – almost £25,000 to be used in conjunction with a Sport England grant already received to cover the cost of the lights.
Steve Thompson, chair of Buxton Tennis Club says: “This is the only tennis facility in the area and the demand for court time far outstrips the hours available. This constrains the club’s ability to develop and extend playing, coaching, fitness and junior activity programmes.
“We are delighted to receive this grant which means we can now realise our ambition to have our courts lit up and open for longer hours, whatever the season. We are looking forward to expanding the Club’s offer and to reaching out to new sections of the local community to encourage them to come and hit a ball around. We are very keen to emphasise that this Club is not just for experienced players – it is for everyone. Trying tennis is great for health and fitness, whether you want to play games or just have a knock around in the evening.”
Chris Bradbury, Tarmac Tunstead Cement Plant Manager adds: “The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund supports projects right around the country, so we are delighted that a project close to Tunstead has benefitted this time. Buxton Tennis Club is a vital community sport facility – with this financial boost and the establishment of the lights, it will be able to move away from being affected by seasonal light restrictions. Importantly this improvement will enable them to encourage more people to come along and give tennis a go.”
The Club aims to have the lights up and running soon and encourages anyone interested in playing to contact Steve on 07968 336483.
*The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund (or Landfill Tax Credit Scheme as it was formerly known) enables landfill operators like Tarmac, to donate part of their annual tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies for a variety of approved community and environmental projects. Landfill operators can reclaim 90% of their contribution as a tax credit which means the remaining 10% must be provided either by them or an independent third party. Through the fund Tarmac donates around £1 million each year to community projects throughout the UK. The fund is open to applicants who meet the strict criteria for projects delivering community benefit. For more information please go to www.entrust.org.uk.
Picture caption: Members of Buxton Tennis Club welcome the news of a major grant to allow the installation of floodlights. Centre left, Tarmac Tunstead Cement Plant engineering and operations manager, Paul O’Nyons congratulates the club secretary Allan Ramsay.