Seaforth Tennis Club have been working for years to raise money to resurface all four courts at Seaforth Avenue, and a cheque for £25,000 from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) takes them to their goal.
Hailing the milestone, chairwoman Theresa Woodman said: “We’ve reached our target and we’re able to get the courts resurfaced.
“We still need to fundraise for the fence, we think, and the fence is going to cost £15,000.”
Seaforth Tennis Club was established in September 2013, amid concerns over the future of the facility.
Two of the courts can be used at present, but the other two are described as ‘really rough’.
Fundraising has taken place to see all four courts resurfaced in a material which will allow year-round play.
Theresa said: “Previously we’d received £22,000 from The Holywood Trust.
“We’ve also received small donations here and there, like £1000 from the JMA Trust and smaller donations from the community council, etc.”
And in addition to providing the latest £25,000, the LTA will help in securing a contractor and is expected to project manage the work.
Theresa said: “As a committee now we’ve got to go on and build a strong club membership — which we’ve got already; we’ve just got to formalise it more.”
Other developments include plans for an online booking facility, but the club will ensure the public have free play access every week — encouraging people take up tennis.
Work on the courts is hoped to begin in the spring, in time for the tennis season next year.
Describing the club as going ‘from strength-to-strength’, Theresa Woodman said: “We can only hope that the courts will be a great asset to Annan, and we hope the public will enjoy them, too.”
