All About Cork: Cutting the ribbon on new tennis courts in Whitechurch

Whitechurch Tennis Club unveils its two new courts

Whitechurch Tennis Club recently opened two brand-new courts. The club has a long history of encouraging participation in tennis going all the way back to 1992 and continues to grow in the present day.

Aidan Duggan outlined the process behind the club’s new courts.

“The beginning of the development of the new tennis courts at Whitechurch Tennis Club goes back to 2018, when the decision was made to expand the club after the membership numbers had grown substantially in the previous years.

“Some great foresight by the Whitechurch and Waterloo Community Association (WWCA) who developed the grounds back in 2005, left a strip of land beside the tennis club large enough to fit two extra tennis courts.

“The first step was to apply for planning permission with the assistance of local engineer Maurice Spillane who made the process very straightforward.

“A successful application was made to Cork County Council for financial assistance under the community fund scheme application but this was but not large enough to start the project.

“A separate application was made under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) operated by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. This programme provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities.

“Unfortunately the club narrowly missed out on this as there was a lot of competition for this fund.

“However, when another round of funding was launched in 2020 we applied again, armed with lots of experience and knowledge from the previous attempt.

“The club had continued to grow, so it was decided to apply for a grant to build two extra courts. After a big effort in building a strong case for our application, we were successfully awarded a large grant.

The club’s finances were in healthy shape following many years of prudent management, so we had enough savings to cover the remaining cost of the development and it was given the green light to start.

“Multiple quotes were sought for the various parts of the development and it was decided to award the main contract to Kelly Bros from Ballydesmond who were the same developers that had built the previous courts back in 2005.

“They subcontracted the surface installation to CourtCare and the lights installation to Bob Ryan.

“Mark Byrne, who is an experienced quantity surveyor and long-time club member, was appointed project manager to oversee the work. Ground was broken in April 2023 and the first tennis game was played in September 2023.

The development marks a large step forward for the club which has been in existence since 1998 and will support continued growth of tennis in the community of Whitechurch and its surrounding parishes long into the future.

“We look forward to welcoming many more new members to take up the sport and be part of our great club.”

A public consultation has opened on a new development in Blackpool

The Redemption Heights proposal would demolish existing structures and see the construction of 54 units, comprising of 34 apartments and 20 sheltered accommodation apartments at Redemption Road, Blackpool, Cork in the form of three three-bedroom units, 32 two-bedroom units and 19 one-bedroom units in two four-storey blocks, all designed to take into account the existing urban architecture.

The development site area is approximately 0.84 hectares.

Access to the development will be via Redemption Road and Hattons Alley Lane.

For further information on the proposed development, or to make an online submission, see consult.corkcity.ie/en.

The closing date for submissions and observations is Wednesday, June 12, at 4pm.

Panto auditions open

CADA Performing Arts and The Everyman are currently casting for principle and ensemble roles in a pantomime to be performed at The Everyman.

Full time rehearsals will take place in Cork from 28 October 2024. Priority will be given to actors from or that have a base in Cork. This is a full time, paid position with CADA Performing Arts.

If you would like to be considered for a role, submit a 1-page CV including headshot plus a self-tape performing a song acapella by 5pm, 8th May 2024 to info@cadaperformingarts.ie.

Have Blackpool, Shandon and Ballyvolane news to share? Contact Robert.mcnamara@theecho.ie