Plan to restore Simon’s Town tennis courts

The Simon’s Town Civic Association (STCA), the SA Navy Dockyard’s Facilities Management Department and Cape Town Tennis are working together to restore the navy’s tennis courts in the town.

The idea was first proposed by Simon’s Town resident Professor David Attwell in 2022.

“Shortly after joining the STCA, I approached the chairman, Simon Metcalfe, with two projects in mind: a book festival, now Books on the Bay, and the renovation of the navy’s tennis courts,” Professor Attwell said.

In April last year, the STCA approached the navy about a possible renovation, contingent upon securing sponsorship.

Lieutenant Commander Lebohang Molefe, the navy’s facilities manager, served as the primary liaison, while Debbie McComb, STCA’s property manager, helped to advance the project

“The navy recognised the value of restoring the courts, not only for the community but also for their own personnel,” Ms McComb said. “There was a shared vision for the project, which helped expedite collaboration.”

The navy gave provisional approval for the STCA to explore possible sources of funding.

At that point, Professor Attwell approached Riad Davids, president of Cape Town Tennis, which administers the sport in the city with affiliation to Tennis South Africa and the International Tennis Federation, to help fund the project.

According to Professor Attwell, Cape Town Tennis’s response was encouraging with its funding support being contingent on the establishment of a club with a constitution and a user agreement with the navy for a minimum term of five years.

By August last year, these conditions had been met, and the Simon’s Town Tennis Club was officially formed.

The club received over 100 membership applications, with continued interest from local residents, according to Professor Attwell.

Cape Town Tennis was now focused on finalising its financial planning to support the restoration, said Mr Davids.

“CTT’s current mandate is to invest funds from the sale of Rondebosch Tennis Club until a process is developed to workshop potential funding scenarios with the clubs.

“We will be meeting with the clubs soon to begin this process. Until that time, the executive committee of CTT cannot make any decisions regarding the disbursement of these funds.”

Professor Attwell said the restoration was expected to cost R2.7 million.

He added that the Simon’s Town Tennis Club’s constitution included provisions for honorary membership, free court access for navy personnel, and free coaching and facilities for schools in Simon’s Town, Ocean View, and Masiphumelele.

Ms McComb said: “This is just the beginning of what I hope will be many collaborations between the navy and Simon’s Town residents.”