REDDITCH Tennis Club has smashed its fund-raising target for two new Red Plus clay courts in just six weeks.
The ‘Ready 2 Play on Clay’ crowdfunding campaign was launched at the end of September to generate £25,000 towards the overall £60,000 total cost.
Sport England pledged £10,000 towards the target and the rest of the funds were raised through a number of events and activities.
Councillor Brandon Clayton also contributed to the cause.
The campaign was launched to resurface two tarmac courts which are over 16 years old, have fallen into a serious state of disrepair and are unsafe to play on.
The two world class courts replacing them would enable people to play on them all year round. It will also put the club in a unique position as Red Plus Clay courts are rarely found in England.
Red Plus Clay is officially approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is similar to the Roland-Garros surface used for the French Open.
Redditch Tennis Club head coach Tony Ravenscroft said: “I would like to say a big thank you to the whole community and local businesses for their support.
“It shows just how much the people of Redditch can rise to the occasion when something like this is needed.
“It also illustrates the passion for tennis in the town and it will be great when the courts are in place and people of all ages are playing on them.”
It is hoped work on the courts, which will take a few weeks, will start in the spring.
