New squash club roof at Wick thanks to local funders

Wick Squash Club held its first competition of the season to celebrate the reopening of the premises after contractors had replaced the leaking old roof.

The team competition saw two teams of seven fighting it out over two rounds. The handicap scoring system allowed some close, hard-fought matches with competitors being spurred on by their watching team-mates.

Team A, led by club captain Liam Crombie, triumphed over Team B, led by club secretary Marc Nicolson, by a score of 10-4.

With funding for the project being secured from the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, SSE Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd and Greencoat Stroupster Community Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland, the club was delighted to have representatives from each organisation in attendance.

This gave the representatives, David Shearer, Eilidh Coll and Linda Bremner, an opportunity to see the improvements the contributions from their organisations had made to the club.

Wick Squash Club is an important recreational facility and the exterior refurbishment enhances it for many years to come.

Club chairperson David Craigie thanked them and their organisations on behalf of Wick Squash Club and its members. He explained that the roof had been in place for more than 30 years but, due to corrosion, rainwater had been entering the court and without their funding the club would have have had to close its doors permanently.

The work, which was completed by North Coast Joiners, has safeguarded the club for future generations of squash players.

CNSFund coordinator David Shearer said: “It is an objective of the CNSFund to support community projects that deliver long-term improvements which will benefit people living in the Dounreay travel-to-work area. Wick Squash Club is an important recreational facility for all age groups and the exterior refurbishment which has been carried out to a very high standard enhances it for many years to come."

Foundation Scotland’s Eilidh Coll said: “The Greencoat Stroupster panel was pleased to support the capital works being undertaken by Wick Squash Club, recognising how essential a well-maintained centre is to sports clubs such as this.

“I was pleased to be invited to the open day and have an opportunity to try out the sport. It was a lot of fun and the members offer a great deal of peer to peer support to new players.”

Wick Squash Club has sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm and Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.

New players are always welcome to attend these sessions to try squash.

For more information contact Wick Squash Club on Facebook or contact David Craigie on 07810824521.

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