Killaloe/Ballina Tennis Club launch fundraising campaign for ambitious development
Over the last seven years the development committee in the Killaloe-Ballina Tennis Club (KBTC) has been preparing a long-term programme, which will see the development of two new indoor courts, an additional outdoor mini-court with a practice wall, along with other club facilities added to the existing club facilities.
This major development will add to the existing club facilities of four floodlit outdoor courts and a clubhouse. These developments will position KTBC as a forerunner in the growth of indoor tennis facilities in Ireland. The project will make history nationally as KBTC will become the first tennis club outside of Dublin to have permanent covered tennis courts.
“The provision of 2 Indoor Tennis Courts at KBTC is a project that will contribute significantly to the Killaloe and Ballina Area, along with the entire Mid-West Region,” said club chairperson Patrick Seymour.
“Permanent Indoor Courts for year-round use are currently only available in Dublin, to deliver a facility of this standard for a Tennis Club in Clare will be a magnificent achievement for both the club and the local community.”
Killaloe-Ballina Tennis Club itself needs to make up the shortfall to complete all the building works. With this in mind KBTC are urging its members, the community of Killaloe-Ballina and the wider community to support this wonderful project. All contributions will be greatly appreciated.
Donations can be made by visiting www.kbtc.ie and click on the ‘donate now’ button on the home page or through the GoFundMe website.
Killaloe-Ballina Tennis Club has been in existence since 1984 and initially comprised 24 members. Following a few moves the club finally found its home with the cooperation of Clare County Council. Two tennis courts were constructed in Bane Field, New Street, Killaloe and these opened in 1988. Floodlighting was installed for one court in 1995, with a similar improvement for the second court in 1998.
With growing membership, a third court was added in 2001 to cater for continuously increasing demand. This in turn generated the need for other kinds of facilities, and so the existing clubhouse was completed in 2003. An all-weather sand-filled artificial surface was provided for all three courts in 2004. The latest piece in the development project was the construction of a fourth court which was completed in 2007. The growth of Killaloe Ballina Tennis Club now enters a new and ambitious phase in its history.
The project has been part-funded by the LEADER programme, through the National Development Plan and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
The project is also supported by the National Sports Capital Grant program, W2 Foundation, the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, Tomar Trust, Clare Local Development Company, North Tipperary Development Company and Controllo Ltd.