Haywards Heath Tennis Club New Clubhouse Proposal Introduction

Haywards Heath Tennis Club New Clubhouse Proposal

Introduction This document sets out Haywards Heath Tennis Club’s plans to replace its existing clubhouse. The club has its home in Victoria Park, just off South Road, the main high street in Haywards Heath. There are currently three tennis courts which have been re-surfaced recently. The club currently has approximately 80 members across a wide range of age groups and abilities. It is keen to increase membership and accessibility to a more diverse audience. Coaching is provided by two coaches who particularly look to develop young players.

Background The existing clubhouse is over 30 years old and is no longer fit-forpurpose… The current building has: • No electricity • No hot water • No toilet facilities Updated facilities would enable us to serve a wider and more diverse audience for our members and the local community. Our plans align with Mid Sussex District Council’s future improvement plans for Victoria Park and are also supported by the LTA’s (Lawn Tennis Association) strategy of developing park play. …a replacement is well overdue.

Objectives The club would like to replace its outdated clubhouse with a modern facility which fits in with the surroundings of Victoria Park and is more welcoming to existing and potential new members alike. It also needs to better meet the needs of a diverse community and satisfy current accessibility requirements. The points listed opposite summarise some of these aspirations. • Modern facilities served by electricity and hot & cold running water • A larger footprint of land to accommodate the new clubhouse • A kitchen area to allow the preparation of light food and drink • An accessible toilet • Level access to the courts and clubhouse • A bi-fold door arrangement opening onto the tennis courts covered by a veranda • Floodlighting on courts to allow longer periods of play in winter - currently being investigated by MSDC (Mid Sussex District Council) • A storage area

Membership Profile Haywards Heath Tennis Club currently has a membership of 43 women and 38 men. Age Number of members The age split of the membership is represented by the table opposite with an age range of 17 – 87 ! u 18 2 18 -59 43 60+ 36 Total 81 Since the start of 2020, club membership has grown from 60 members to 81, a percentage increase of 35%. The club aims for growth to continue and is very keen to increase the number of younger members. This growth is currently limited by the facilities we are able to offer.

Growth Potential of the Club A new clubhouse with modern facilities would provide an opportunity to increase club membership and promote greater community use of Victoria Park facilities This could be achieved through the potential of the activities listed opposite… Increased junior and youth coaching The opportunity to play tennis in a mixed environment Opening of facilities to a more diverse audience Opportunity to rent out premises to non-tennis community groups • Floodlighting to enable evening use in winter and increase overall court availability • Storage facilities for tennis and other park-based fitness groups • •

Budget Costs and Potential Sources of Funding We have achieved planning permission for a new Clubhouse and secured a grant of £ 65, 040 from MSDC. The club has already raised an additional £ 15, 000. However, with estimated costs in the region of £ 130, 000, we still have a shortfall of £ 50, 000 * We are pursuing a number of channels to secure the additional funding… *This cost excludes floodlighting which it has been agreed will be taken forward separately by MSDC. Tier One: • Local Authority grants • Sport England • Lottery Funding • LTA (loan) Tier Two: • Large local businesses • Local developers Tier Three: • Club social activities • Raffles • Local businesses

Plans of Proposed New Clubhouse The new clubhouse will be designed to blend into the environment of Victoria Park. . Facilities will be flexible and multifunctional, incorporating electricity, hot water, a kitchen area and a toilet. External Internal Location in Victoria Park

Summary Haywards Heath Tennis Club is a park-based tennis club open to all ages and abilities. • The club is aiming to grow membership and promote participation in tennis to a wider audience within the local community. • This growth is however, limited by the facilities currently available - the clubhouse is extremely dated, has no electricity, no hot water, no toilet facilities and no floodlighting. • The club is therefore trying to fund the building of a new clubhouse which will support our future growth and provide a valuable sporting asset for our local community.