Vital season for indoor tennis centre

Press, 2 June 1989, Page 26

Vital season for indoor tennis centre

Administrators of the Indoor Tennis Centre in Ferry Road are hopeful that wet weather over the winter months will boost business significantly.

The centre, which houses eight courts, had a difficult summer as the fine weather kept the majority of Christchurch tennis players outside.

"We had only eight wet days after Christmas,” said Sue Morgan, the centre manager. “The centre has been used full time during the evenings or on wet days. But everyone knows we have had fantastic weather.” John Butterfield, one of the three owners, was surprised at how slow business had been.

“I have a good friend overseas and he can’t believe why the centre is not patronised,” he said.

“But I think that the complex is too big for the population in Christchurch and there are so many school and club courts here. It is not all gloom down here. Business is picking up.”

While Mr Butterfield has not ruled out a change in the centre’s use, the owners will reassess the situation after this winter.

“We want to be flexible. One day it might change, but we can’t commit ourselves six months ahead. Obviously it has got to be commercial,” he said.

The centre is presently involved in a popular business house competition which runs four nights each week, and it has recently introduced

aerobic tennis coached by Chris Jennings. Jennings spent two years in the north west of Chicago working in a gymnasium.

“I was spending $lOOO every two months to play tennis over there,” she said. “But people were accustomed to playing indoors and not used to the elements. I think people are prejudiced against playing indoors here if it is at all possible to be outside.”

Aerobics tennis, as its name suggests, combines tennis with aerobic exercise and is proving popular for beginners. Jennings is hopeful of encouraging some top local players into the classes. She also runs an afterschool tennis class. Hamish Faults, the resident coach, takes over the school children on Saturday mornings. The centre will be running an August holiday coaching clinic. Veteran players also have concession times and the centre will be utilised this week-end by the United club's first indoor tournament. In addition to the tennis courts, the facility offers 12 aerobics classes a week and a gymnasium.

The centre was considered for the Davis Cup tie against Hungary but passed over because of the cost of the seating arrangements.

“The cost of temporary seating outweighs the value of the exercise, although we could have met any requirements of the players,” said Mrs Morgan.