FROME’S Community Tennis Club enjoyed a double celebration with the delayed marking of its 100th anniversary and the opening of a new Pavilion.
Club chairman Mark Brierley said, “This is a big event for us, the club was 100 years old in 2021 – so we are holding a delayed centenary celebration.
“It is also a club open day for our new Pavilion – aimed at being a multi-purpose space which relates to tennis.”
The new building was officially opened by town mayor, cllr Sara Butler, who is a keen supporter of the project.
She said, “We are delighted to be able to open this new Pavilion.
“The club is a big part of the community and is also used for outreach work – many Ukrainian families come here which has helped them settle into the area.”
The facility took four years to come to fruition, and is an extension to the old wooden clubhouse, which has been in used since 1996.
Mark continued, “In the last five years, the tennis club has almost doubled in size.
“It made a difference when the pandemic struck and the only sports open was tennis and golf, which was a forced factor of more people using the courts – some people stuck with it.
“We still have work to do – between 250 to 300 people play tennis in Frome, and most don’t know each other.
“We don’t want money to be an issue stopping people from coming to the club, we will help you.
“The idea now is to create a hub, where people can meet and get to know one another.”
The club also provides Walking tennis, for tennis enthusiasts who want to take a more gentle pace of play.
Club coach Stephen Marcelle, was on hand as chef for the day, supplying visitors with a Caribbean barbecue.
Next for the clubs is floodlighting, which is set to be installed at the tennis courts in September; aimed to provide more capacity during the darker months of the year.
