THE new facilities at Tavistock Tennis Club were 'a dream come true', said the mayor of Tavistock, Norma Woodcock, at the opening last Saturday.

Cllr Woodcock, who is the club president and who has been involved with the 'Millennium Development Project 2001' throughout, unveiled the commemorative plaque and cut a tape to declare it open, expressing her own thanks to all concerned.

'A dream has come true for a club with a vision,' she said.

The club's oldest and youngest members — Jim Roe, 94 and Fred Jayaryah, 6 — were both at the opening, but Jim was disappointed he was unable to demonstrate his skills with the coach as planned as he had been unwell.

Club chairman Mike Jefferies outlined the progress of the project from its inception in 1996. The original three infrequently-used grass courts had been converted to all-weather hard courts with floodlights and the limited pavilion had been extended to a clubhouse twice the size with toilets, showers, changing rooms, a kitchen and a lounge.

Mr Jefferies said the LTA had made important contributions to the planning of the project, which would not have been possible without the Lottery Fund grant. Sport England had assisted in many ways and the club had the full support and co-operation of West Devon Borough and Tavistock Town Councils, West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett, club president Norma Woodcock, Tavistock and Kelly Colleges and a number of local schools.

The total project cost £170,000 and was financed by £104,877 from the National Lottery Fund grant, £35,623 raised by the club itself, a loan of £25,000 from the central LTA, a contribution of £2,500 from Devon LTA and £2,000 from the borough council.

Jonathan Calderbank from Sport England — which distributes the funds for sport — commented on the professional way the improvements had been handled and their close relationship with the club. He then unveiled a large-size promotional cheque.

Mr Burnett congratulated and thanked Mike Jefferies, the committee and many others who had given their time and worked diligently to make the project such a success. He expressed his appreciation of the major contribution this development made to sport in the area, especially for the young.

A special feature of the day was a mixed doubles match to celebrate the club's 80th anniversary, which is also this year. The players and umpire were dressed in costumes from the early 1920s, and provided entertainment and fun with tennis from a bygone era. Junior members acted as ball girls and boys in tee-shirts supplied by Tavistock College.

The club coach gave a demonstration knock-up with Rhys Dunford, one of the juniors, and the finals of the club tournament were also held, a barbecue rounding off the day.

Anyone interested in joining the club should telephone 01822 614178 or 01822 854162.