It looks like tennis fans will have to wait until spring to see court construction start in Drumheller.
The Drumheller Tennis Club and the Friends of DVSS have teamed up on a campaign to build a multi-use outdoor court at DVSS. This will include a hard surface that can be used for tennis, pickleball, and basketball.
The Drumheller Tennis Club and Friends of DVSS are likely to begin its construction project in the spring as they wait in limbo for a grant approval.
The team has raised a substantial portion of the funds needed, however time keeps ticking away as they wait for word on a Community Facilities Enhancement Program grant. It is looking like their window of opportunity may be closing.
“It’s all based on weather and you can’t really predict that,” said Barb Travis, president of the Friends of DVSS. “One thing they want to be clear about is when they do this project, they are doing it right… if it’s done properly it can last a long time with no repairs.”
Travis explains they have assembled a great team of partners, made up of private individuals, service clubs and corporate donors to raise about $104,000. They have applied for a grant for about $65,000. They need about $193,000 to complete the project, however if they are eligible for the CFEP Grant, the group would be able to start on the project and feel confident they could raise the remaining funds needed.
Travis said they had a productive meeting a couple weeks ago where they were able to meet with partners, and contractors and found some overlap in the project and therefore also discovered additional savings.
Travis said the deadline for beginning the project this fall is quickly approaching. If they do not hear about the status of their grant application, the project will be delayed until spring.
