TOWN COUNCIL - Eager to get the Stettler tennis courts back in shape, the town’s tennis club has netted financial support from town council.
At its regular meeting last week, Town of Stettler council discussed a request from the Stettler Tennis Society to upgrade the facility.
Society president Mitch Koehler, vice-president Darrin Bosomworth and treasurer Leo Gitzel made the presentation.
During the discussions, it was noted that the tennis courts are on the property of the Clearview School Division, with a joint-use agreement with the Town of Stettler and the tennis club and the County of Stettler as other users, while none of the groups appears to take authority of the facility.
“We have four stakeholders — the town and county, Clearview and the tennis club — and we need to bring the four partners together to come up with a plan,” said Mayor Dick Richards.
As a Clearview trustee, Coun. Peter Simons said he would take the issue to the school board.
Maintaining the tennis courts by Stettler Elementary School is preferred by the society, as Koehler noted it would cost about $30,000 to upgrade.
Now with less than 15 members in the club, Bosomworth said he predicts the number of members and users would greatly increase with an upgraded facility.
“Stettler Tennis Club feels that a good tennis facility is an important part of the sports facilities in the town,” stated a letter signed by Koehler.
“We have noted that since the upgrade to the surface of the tennis courts, there has been much greater interest in general to the tennis courts.”
During its recent executive meeting in early October, the executive prioritized the need to replace or repair the existing perimeter fence, replace the backboards, add toilet facilities and waste receptacles, repair drainage on the southwest side, place signage along the highway, include a clubhouse, and an electrical box.
“As a club, it is our desire to grow our club by promoting the sport in our community,” Koehler said.
“In order to do this, we feel an upgrade to what is clearly a well-used and much-appreciated facility is essential.”
The club also suggested the courts be relocated to Stettler Sports Park as part of another planned project, though that option was not preferred, he said.