Proponents of new tennis courts are hopeful they will be able to break ground before the season is through, pending on its fundraising efforts.
The Drumheller Tennis Club has been set up for about a year and has made tremendous progress towards realizing a new tennis facility in Drumheller. It has teamed up with the Town of Drumheller, Golden Hills School Division and the Friends of DVSS Society, and is well on their way.
Barb Travis, president of the Friends of DVSS, a Society set up to fundraise for projects to benefit the school, says they have raised about $84,000.
This comes from a casino they have worked, as well as donations from the Lions Club, The Kinsmen and Cenovus. The Town of Drumheller has also committed to a donation in kind for equipment and labour to help realize the dream.
While the project began as simply tennis courts, it has grown to include two full-sized tennis courts that could be used for pickle ball, a tennis rebound wall and an adjacent basketball court.
They have selected a site on the grounds of DVSS where the former basketball hoops are located, have a working design and a contractor who has given them an estimate.
Travis said they are about $100,000 off but are working on a number of fronts to raise the needed funds, including grants, and donations from individuals or companies. If they are successful, they could begin construction this fall.
For more information, to donate or get involved in the club contact Travis at 403-820-7422 or 403-820-0048.
Travis has also learned the Friends of DVSS are able to issue a receipt for tax purposes through Golden Hills School Division.
A sketch of the proposed tennis courts at DVSS. The Drumheller Tennis Club is hoping to raise the funds needed to start construction this season.
