The Drumheller Tennis Club received promising news this week that by next summer they will be on the court, a brand new court.
This week the club, which has been working hard to raise funds to build a multi- use court for tennis, pickle ball and basketball at DVSS, learned the Friends of DVSS Society received a Community Facilities Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant from the province for $40,000 to construct the court.
A schematic of the proposed multi-use courts at DVSS. The Drumheller Tennis Club was successful in securing a CFEP grant for construction of the courts and hope to break ground this spring.
“We received the good news about the CFEP application and the courts seem possible for spring 2014,” said Jillian Augey, of the Drumheller Tennis Club.
Early on, the club joined forces with the Friends of DVSS to work on the fundraising. They have received great support from the community with substantial donations from Cenovus, the Lions Club, the Kinsmen Club, the Rotary Club and Canalta. The Friends of DVSS also contributed $40,000 from its casino funds directly to the project.
An anonymous donor also brought $21,000 to the table.
“It is going to rehabilitate the parking area that used to be a basketball court. When we convert it back, it will be another place for activity for kids and the community of Drumheller to access,” said Suzette Lafreniere, president of the Friends of DVSS.
She adds that it will also be a resource for the school to use.
“It is truly a community project,” said Lafreniere.
Augey also sees the potential.
“The local tennis club hopes to start a league night as well as host fun tournaments and lessons for beginners. The pickle ball players in town are involved with the project and look forward to playing outdoors. And of course, the basketball court will be a great addition to the Riverside area,” said Augey. “There is so much potential to bring all age groups together through the use of this court.”
While the funding is a needed boost, there is still a little more needed to put them over the top.
They will need about $15,000 more to make the project a reality. Lafreniere said The Friends of DVSS has a motivated board ready to take on the project and are already looking for different ways to raise the funds so they can break ground in the spring.
“We have been working hard for the last year and a half, it would be horrible for us to back down at this point,” said Lafreniere.
Those wishing to learn more or donate to the project can call 403-436-0031.
*Corrected December 3, 2013*
