Tennis club back in the swing
Tennis anyone?.
Mayor Hazel McCallion plays a round of tennis during the grand opening of the Mohawk Park Tennis Club's refurbished court yesterday. The Ontario Trillium Foundation contributed $119,700 to the cause with the City picking up the tab for the fence and the new walkway leading to the court.
Staff photo by Daniel Ho
For tennis enthusiasts in south Mississauga, the reopening of the Mohawk Park Tennis Club was a day long awaited.
Members of the club's fundraising committee and dignitaries celebrated the reopening with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday.
After three months of construction work, Mississauga residents had the opportunity to try out the new courts and bat a few balls around with the club's tennis pros.
The courts are located at 2409 Delkus Cres., south of The Queensway E. and west of Cawthra Rd.
"This upgrade has been a long time coming," said Mohawk Park president Michael Pitt.
In March, the not-for-profit club received a $119,700 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help with reconstruction costs.
Prior to the renovations, there was damage to the net poles and weeds were growing right through the court surface.
It took the executive committee three years of persistence and patience to acquire the money for the facelift.
"The courts were at a stage where it became dangerous to play on," said Brian Connors, the City's supervisor of sports programs. "With this upgrade, it's gone from one extreme to the other."
The new court is expected to last 20 years.
Mohawk Park also provides instructional programs for people wanting to improve their game and promotes a healthier lifestyle through active living, a goal shared by many of the speakers in attendance at Sunday's opening.
"This is what it's all about — health, wellness and being able to stay active," said Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa.
City officials were impressed with the plan submitted by the club's fundraising committee, and their drive to accomplish their goal, said Mayor Hazel McCallion.
Residents needs to take charge and support initiatives and community projects as well, she continued.
"The community has a major role to play," said McCallion. "You've shown us ... that you have the drive to make this happen."
The fundraising committee hopes to get the City to improve the court's lighting system for better play at night.
Meanwhile, Pitt hopes the renovated courts will prompt more children and young adults to visit the club and try their hand at tennis.
"We want everyone to remember this, and pass this court on to the younger members of our community," he said.
Visit www.mohawkparktennis.org for more information.