The Club turns 93 this year (2021) and by dint of its age there are many maintenance factors we need to consider, many of which would not apply to younger tennis clubs.  A background paper considering these factors is attached to the full length version of this paper which has been posted to the Club’s webpage.

As a result of the 2020 events, it is clear that the occasional working bee will be insufficient to keep the clubhouse and surrounds properly maintained.  Instead, the Committee has developed a maintenance volunteer roster for 2021 that we hope will both attract volunteers from across our membership base and keep our facilities in first class condition.  The roster has been designed to provide volunteers with maximum flexibility to complete tasks on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, six monthly or annual basis depending on the task in question. 

So, please consider the attached maintenance roster which sets out the required maintenance activities for 2021, together with details of what each activity will require and how often it will need to be undertaken. And don’t forget, all members contributing to the Club by taking part in  one or more Maintenance Group activity will be eligible to apply for the Club’s 2021 Active Member Rebate!

If you can help, please either ring or email Mary on 0400 875 329 or at maryaryan@grapevine.com.au to discuss your availability and your preferences.

Steve Ryan

President, 3 Feb 2021

Background

The Ainslie Tennis Club will turn 93 this year and as a result its facilities need lots of care and occasional replacement. The three courts were originally clay courts and were upgraded to synthetic grass some 20 years ago.  The fences and some gates around the courts are original and are in need of repair in many places, whereas the fences around the clubhouse were built in the late 1950’s when the 1928 clubhouse was moved from the other side of the courts and are in reasonable condition.

The Club Committee has included an Asset Manager position for the last four years in recognition that the Club’s assets require special attention to ensure that the Ainslie community continues to enjoy its tennis facilities for another 93 years.  This turned out to be a fortuitous decision when in 2018 it was discovered that there was a termite infestation throughout about 50% of the clubhouse.  The Asset Managers, initially Neil Hendy and, since mid 2018, Mary Ryan oversaw the rebuilding of the clubhouse and created a facility that is now first class.

The rebuilding exercise highlighted that the club needs to be not only prepared for a disaster, but also needs to regularly maintain and/or upgrade its facilities.  Accordingly, the Committee has agreed on a two-pronged approach to facilities maintenance and upgrading.  In relation to the latter, the Strategic Asset Management Plan is being reviewed and linked with the new Sinking Fund that was created in late 2020. 

The Plan will identify asset replacement priorities and then match the priorities to funding availability.  Hopefully over the next few years we will, among other things, see the successful resurfacing of court 3, the replacement of the halogen and mercury lights with LED lighting and the construction of a hitting wall.

To maximise the availability of funds for these important projects, the Club needs to minimise the use of scarce funds on activities that can be handled by volunteer members.  While the Committee acknowledges that not every member is able to volunteer for Club activities, there are many that have informally indicated that they would be delighted to help the Club as circumstances or availability permit.