Tennis club finds root of problem

A tennis club with cracks in its courts has found the root of the problem – a big root.

The Renwick Tennis Club, in Marlborough, has no love for the cypress hedge along its southern boundary, insisting its time is up.

The Giesens Sports and Events Centre, which borders the tennis club, asked the Marlborough District Council for $10,000 to rip out the hedge at the first day of longterm plan hearings on Tuesday.

It needs a further $16,000 to build a tennis fence in its place, and another $10,000 for possible landscaping of the village green nearby.

Giesens Sports and Events Centre manager David Mcluckie told the council the hedge would be an ‘‘ongoing and expensive issue’’ if it was not removed.

‘‘Roots from the hedge are causing considerable damage to the tennis court surface,’’ Mcluckie said.

‘‘It’s scruffy, big hedges [mean] more roots, so you end up with cracks and that’s just the small ones.

‘‘Larger spots do encroach onto the playing surface.’’

As well as damaging the club’s three tennis courts, the hedge also required ‘‘regular trimming and badly shades properties to the south’’, Mcluckie said.

‘‘We’ve received a number of complaints over the years from the neighbouring property owners,’’ he said.

Mcluckie said the lodge next door was ‘‘definitely keen’’ to get more sunlight.

Though there were two hedges on Renwick Tennis Club’s grounds, the southern hedge was a ‘‘higher priority’’ as it was closer to the courts and caused more issues, Mcluckie said.

Renwick Tennis Club secretary and treasurer Leigh Andrews said the hedge’s removal was the first of several steps in the club’s long-term plan.

‘‘We needed the courts to be safe ahead of tennis season,’’ Andrews said.

‘‘Competitions start in October, but there’s often pre-season games in September.’’

The club submitted a list of desired improvements as part of the council’s long-term plan process.

‘‘The next step would be upgrading the club rooms ahead of the summer months, to attract more families over,’’ Andrews said.

‘‘We’re also looking to do a membership drive, going to schools and letting them know that we’re alive again.

‘‘Down the track we’d like to add a fourth court to the club and resurface all courts so that they’re of the same standard.’’

Mcluckie said the trees that surrounded the reserve were in a ‘‘poor state’’ and in future could be an issue.

‘‘But a lot of time and money will be required at some stage to do something with those,’’ Mcluckie said.

The tennis club hoped updating the courts and facilities would attract ‘‘more and younger players’’.

‘‘[The] centre is working with Renwick Smart and Connected to enhance the landscaping of the domain,’’ he said.

‘‘[This will] make it more attractive for families and for the hosting of small outdoor activities.’’