FORMER Wellington Mayor, county and town councillor Janet Reed officially opened Wellington Tennis Club’s new third court at Courtland Road on Monday evening.

Janet was invited to cut the ribbon because she was a long-time supporter of the project as a councillor.

The club’s trustees played the first match on the court while former and current members watched with a glass of celebratory bubbly.

Chairman Sue Rackley said: “Janet was always there to encourage me, offer help to navigate the planning process, as well as motivate me if I was finding it rather overwhelming at times.“

Appropriately, the trustees – Sue, Simon Cross and Janet Dobson – played the first match alongside Charles St George, who was asked to join them in recognition of his assistance during the project.

The chairman welcomed members and explained how the club’s 30-year dream had became a reality. The catalyst had been the rise in junior numbers due to the popular coaching sessions, and the club using the courts so much at peak times and matches.

“Now, we can increase numbers at junior coaching sessions, host bigger tournaments and junior matches again, as well as have a court available for members or public when we play matches,” Sue said.

An online booking system was introduced when the club re-opened in mid-May and more than 80 public bookings have been made.

“Financially, this is excellent income for us as well as helping us identify future members and track and trace who’s using the courts,” said Sue. “Already, I have approached some families who will now be sending their children to coaching sessions.”

The club offers a range of memberships and the parent/child membership for only £50 has been very popular. This allows a parent to play with their child only but not club sessions.

The club has an updated website with an easy to use online booking tool – visit https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/WellingtonTennisClub