After ten plus years of fundraising and interest, the Yorkton Pirate Tennis Club finally turned on the lights at the Western Development Museum tennis courts Saturday night in a special "Let There Be Lights" event to officially open up the use of lights at the local tennis courts.
The discussion of lighting at the WDM tennis courts has been around since 1998 with an estimated cost of the time at around $30, 000 talk was most prevalent before the hosting of the 2000 Sask Summer Games yet there was no direct approach to the site development despite heavy interest from club members. Through the years members, visitors, parents and tennis partners have expressed the desire to extend the tennis play season by adding lighting to the WDM facility. Of particular interest were the early evening hours in spring and fall. The tennis club began seeking those enhancements despite a luck of monetary support and funding.
According to a statement by the yorkton Tennis Club, "An opportunity to purchase quality outdoor fixtures came to the attention of the club in 2008. Initial discussion with the Melville club about a shared purchase was begun. Commitments of personal donations became the inspiration to have the club take the lead in the lighting project. Club monetary reserves, individual cash donations and member enthusiasm lead to the formal request from the tennis club to Yorkton City Council. The request was made for permission to install 4 posts and lighting equipment at the WDM tennis courts. We requested support for our approach to the Good Spirit School District to access a power connection at the Regional Track Power building. The request also asked for a letter of support for the tennis club lighting project to assist us in fund raising. With our thanks the City Council approved our request." The club would like to thank the GSSD for their support.
The club would also like to thank the great community effort. "Club members, Melville club members, local contractors and businesses, all committed their resources to the project with a commendable effort. The value of in kind contributions, labour, equipment, hardware, expertise, electrical supplies and project drive was wonderful. The light poles and lights have been installed, connected and tested. The underground cable, grounding and surface conduit is in place. The value of donations, equipment, labour, materials and expertise is outstanding," stated the press release.
The club had a evening session of tennis followed by socializing and food before officially turning on the lights for the first ever night session at 6:15. The city now has extra time to get their tennis fix in another addition to the city's infrastructure along with the Brodie Avenue project.
