WITH the dreadful weather conditions, Wellington Tennis Club has been focussing on maintenance of their facilities ready for better weather.

In the autumn, the club spent nearly £7,000 on much needed repair work to their existing clubhouse which will be kept for storing equipment when the new clubhouse is built.

There was a new tin roof replacement of rotten boards and new guttering installed.The courts have been power washed and the new third court - now six years old- will be re-painted in April.

Chair Sue Rackley said" The committee is going to discuss having pickleball lines painted on the third court as well as it is a very popular sport now. It would bring in another stream of income perhaps with the hiring of the courts to pickleball players who might be tempted to play outdoors when the sun is shining!"

Junior coaching has been disrupted, on some Saturdays, but the covers had helped them continue when there was icy weather. Cardio tennis has had lots of evening sessions cancelled due to the rain as well; the same for Monday club nights.

The club has hosted some LTA tournaments, although two were cancelled in early January due to bad weather. They plan to host up to twenty tournaments which will generate a good income.

Behind the scenes, there has been a lot of work moving towards the new clubhouse With new planning rules, they have to plant some trees off-site at Bathealton Nature Reserve and the club are currently in the process of sorting this out with SCC.

Wellington Town's Council's generous grant of £10,000 means it will go ahead as soon as it gets the green light. The new clubhouse will sit next to the old clubhouse and provide a toilet, changing room and small kitchen.

Book a court using the club's website for £7 an hour.