Malahide Tennis Club - Development Plan

Development Activities Update –May 2008

Dear Member,
Much has been happening both on and off court over the last couple of months. Shortly you will start seeing further evidence of the 2008 Committee’s work in further developing our club with a range of new facilities for all members.

Change is on the Cards!

New membership cards will be available for collection from the office from Thursday afternoon, May 14^th. These cards will replace the old cards and will deliver a few extra features including being able to purchase goods and services in the club and easier access and lights operation using the latest proximity card readers.

Click on Questions & Answers for further information on our new cards.

We have recently installed the latest membership management software which will connect directly with the new cards and also provide automated bar stock control and a range of other management tools to enable us to run the club more efficiently,

Click on www.smartclubsolutions.com for further info on the system and the broad range of clubs who are currently using the system modules.

Floodlights.

Lights, action … will see new lights installed on all 9 courts. We’re targeting the end of June/early July for completion. The specification selected by your committee will ensure much improved lighting so that, come the autumn, all our excuses for missing volleys will have disappeared.

This is a substantial investment that will greatly enhance our playing environment and we look forward to seeing the work completed. There will be some disruption during the installation but all efforts will be made to keep this to a minimum. Bear with us, it will be worth it.

Heading for High Tech Tennis

In recent weeks we have invested in a range of hard and software applications for improving the management of the club and to assist with running competitions. The Malahide Junior Open was very successfully managed using the latest tournament software so that all match schedules, scores and results were instantly available from our website. The club has invested in a wireless broadband network which enables us to use laptops within the club grounds as required. Our membership database will help us communicate with diverse groups within the club based on interests, abilities etc – all just a click away.

You may have noticed that we are including more information on www.mltcc.com and trying to keep it more regularly updated. Our plan is to redevelop the whole site over the coming months from within our own resources.

Junior Club and Committee Room

We are currently evaluating the needs for such a facility which will, in time, provide a place for juniors to gather and socialise off court. It will also act as a venue for committee meetings. Once a spec has been agreed, we will then set about the building of this new facility to help meet the needs of our growing club. A coffee machine will be installed shortly in the upstairs bar to encourage more people to come upstairs.

Courts Replacement

The current courts are showing their age with some problems around baselines on a few of the courts. We are just starting the information gathering phase regarding court surface options and hope to be in a position to present court replacement options and recommendations to members by the end of this year if not sooner.

Finally, our tennis sub committee will shortly announce a range of new formats and events for this years club championships. The current formats have remained mostly unchanged for years but nothing stays the same for ever – keep an eye out for news on some innovative new formats soon – on the web, on the notice board and via texts/mail.
Further information on any of the items in this update can be had from yours truly or any member of the committee.

Wishing you success, fun and enjoyment during these bright summer evenings.

Kevin Pryor

Co-ordinator - Club Development Sub Committee

May 9^th, 2008.