Urgent search to find new home for Walsall's only Tennis Club
Walsall's only tennis club – which has been in the borough for 104 years – has launched a campaign to find a new home to secure its future.
Walsall Tennis Club's lease runs out in 2019 and it is concerned that if it doesn't find somewhere else to play then it will be forced to close.
The club, based in Birmingham Road, has been going since 1912 and has around 250 members.
Club chairman Brian McBride said: "During the years in which I have been chairman, as well as several more under my predecessors Nick Clarke and the late Marlene Sanders, every effort has been made to secure a new long-term lease for the club from its landlords.
"There have been periods of raised hopes but all have been met with subsequent disappointments.
"Our inability to find a solution has made it very difficult to seek funding and grants from external sources.
"Yet, despite this we are a vibrant club with not just a rich 104-year heritage to protect but also, as the sole remaining tennis club in Walsall, a solid membership base which comprises almost 250 members, half of whom are enthusiastic aspiring juniors, and an exceptionally talented pool of competitive team players."
The club's committee has spent years trying to find a long-term solution but they said now the time had come to make their fears public and formally launch a campaign to save it.
A funding page has been set up in hope of generating £10,000 towards relocation plans and already more than £6,000 has been pledged to boost the drive.
Mr McBride added: "The hope is that we can encourage as many of you as possible to join in on our 'Save Walsall Tennis Club' campaign and to raise funds to devote to the survival effort."
Out of the money raised so far more than £1,000 has been donated towards a 24-hour tennis marathon set to take place at the National Tennis Centre in London on February 20.
The event will be led by professionals Danny Sapsford and Luke Milligan playing against clubs around the country, including Walsall, for the duration.
While Ellis Souster will be taking to the skies on the same date to do a skydive, which has already generated more than £1,500 in donations.
She said: "Anyone that knows me will confirm that I'm absolutely terrified of heights which just proves how passionate I am about saving our 104 year-old-tennis club."
There are several fundraising events coming up later this year to generate donations for the campaign.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so here.
