Manukau's first public indoor tennis courts are here

Tennis lovers can now enjoy public indoor tennis in Manukau thanks to a partnership between the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board and Tennis Auckland.

The partnership has seen the board inject $100,000 into security and landscaping, as well as facilitate resource and building consents for a tennis dome which now covers two courts at the Manukau Tennis Centre.

Tennis Auckland donated the $650,000 tennis dome and obtained funding for the relocation and assembly costs of the 36.97m long x 36.39m wide x 12.58m high structure.

Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Chair John McCracken says the new covered courts not only provide year-round tennis for locals, they also add to the area’s reserve of wet-weather training venues.

“As a board, we’ve advocated strongly for this project as we are keenly aware that our area needs more sporting facilities that cater for Auckland’s wet winters.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for developing tennis in south Auckland and tapping into the great talent we have here. These new covered courts can also be used for a range of activities such as community celebrations.

“Ensuring our stock of community and recreational facilities keep growing and improving to meet ever-increasing demand is a key aim of the board. Excellent community facilities where our young people can find a focus and develop skills, social networks and self confidence is crucial,” says Mr McCracken.  

To celebrate the opening of the new tennis courts there is a free family day on Saturday, 14 April between 11.30am – 4pm at the Manukau Tennis Centre, Manukau Sports Bowl, 1 Te Irirangi Drive.

Come along and enjoy free tennis all day, including lessons as well as a free sausage sizzle, take part in a speed serve competition with prizes courtesy of Babolat Tennis, watch exhibitions by Auckland Tennis’s junior performance players, grasshoppers and wheelchair stars.  You can even try out the latest rackets from Pro Shop.

For more details see www.manukautennis.co.nz