Otago Squash Club — celebrating 50 years at Mellor Park
A get-together of past and present members of the Otago Squash Club, who have enjoyed squash at Mellor Park over the past 50 years, will be held over Queen’s Birthday weekend (June 1-3, 2018).
All events other than the anniversary dinner will be at Mellor Park. The club is delighted to advise that Dame Susan Devoy will be the guest speaker at that dinner.
All members and ex-members who wish to attend need to register on www.otagosquashclub.co.nz and click ‘‘what’s on’’ or phone Tony Johnston on (021) 229-6412.
HOW IT STARTED
‘‘Are you interested in joining a squash club?’’
A headline like that would be lost nowadays, but 50 years ago that headline in a promotional circular extended an exciting invitation to many and attracted a lot of interest. Within a short time, courts were built at Mellor Park and it sparked off an explosion of interest, reflected in the astounding development of squash facilities in Dunedin and then Otago.
MELLOR PARK IS CHOSEN
Although the club was initially based at Logan Park (sharing facilities with tennis), it became clear that squash could only prosper if it could manage its own finances and have a dedicated site.
The city council advised that the Mellor Park site in Kaikorai Valley was immediately available and approval was conveyed to the club on November 3, 1967.
John Harrison was convener of the building subcommittee and his firm of Allingham & Harrison prepared plans for a three-court complex. At that time, provision was made for a further court and added facilities upstairs.
Progress was rapid, and within months plans had been finalised and a tender of $29,973 had been accepted. The building fund by then stood at $23,500, representing Prominent club members Gerard De Courcy and Mark Gribben at the Otago Squash Club. 102 promises of gifts, and interest-free or 6% interest loan monies. The balance was met by a bank loan of $6000, secured by the personal guarantees of six club committee members. The Mellor Park courts were under way.
THE MELLOR PARK COMPLEX
IS COMPLETED
The Mellor Park courts were opened on May 11, 1968. Their completion in such a short time was largely due to Basil de Lambert, who, together with former New Zealand champion Don Green, gave strong leadership to the club in those early days. The Mellor Park complex was an instant success. Membership of 185 on May 7, 1968, had risen to 360 three weeks later. On June 6, the membership was closed at 424.
MORE EXPANSION
Within weeks, the committee had decided to proceed with an additional court and by
July the contract for the fourth court was accepted and work began immediately.
Membership was then reopened, but it closed again in October, when numbers had reached 623. The fourth court was completed in time for the club championships at the beginning of November.
The New Zealand Squash Championships held at the club in 1972 were the highlight of those early years. A capacity crowd was also present to see visits and exhibition matches by Geoff Hunt and Ken Hiscoe (world champion and runner-up respectively). In those early years, membership was more than 600. Junior membership was over 150 for many years, and on occasion the club had the highest junior membership in the country.
The club’s development was not finished. The lounge was extended in 1977, while a significant upgrading of hot-water systems and changing-room facilities took place in 1979.
In 1984, a glass wall was installed at the back of court two. It added a new dimension for court-viewing and was largely instrumental in the club being chosen later that year as the venue for the first test between the New Zealand and Australian women’s squash teams. This was one of a number of occasions when the club was delighted to host Susan Devoy (now Dame Susan Devoy), then British Open and world champion.
THE OTAGO SQUASH CLUB NOW
While the disappearance of the five-day working week and the growth of other sports has meant membership numbers have declined in recent years, the club remains in a strong position. The courts are now well ventilated and heated, while showers and changing rooms have been renovated. The lounge has a modern heating system and has recently been refurbished, including double glazing.
There is also a heating system for the four courts, which are now booked online. There is normally a club member available during usual working hours or during competition to welcome newcomers and provide help, including coaching, when required.
The club has now enjoyed its courts at Mellor Park for 50 years, and over Queen’s Birthday weekend in June this year, a large number of past members will be returning to Mellor Park to meet current members/old friends and enjoy the memories of some great times. For perhaps more than anything else, it is those memories and friendships that will endure.
TIMETABLE FOR EVENTS Friday June 1
6pm onwards at Otago Squash Club:
Welcome and registration.
Saturday June 2
10am-6pm: Registration; casual squash and
viewing photos.
4pm-6pm: Member catch-up and group
photos; happy hour.
6.30pm-midnight: Meal at Otago Golf Club
(guest speaker: Susan Devoy).
Sunday June 3
11am-4pm: Exhibition game (noon);
barbecue (2pm)
To register, go to www.otagosquashclub.co.nz and click ‘‘what’s on’’ or phone Tony Johnston on (021) 229-6412.