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Shovels were shared to upturn the first pieces of turf on the $1 million project to provide a new building for Milford Tennis Club.
Wimbledon semi-finalist Judy Tinnock was given the honour of breaking ground at the official ceremony held to launch the start of construction work on December 5th. Judy, a former New Zealand tennis number one who reached the Wimbledon mixed doubles semi-final in 1954 coached at Milford for many years and played regularly until recently. Judy was joined by a former doubles partner Gaye Williams, who joined Milford Tennis Club as an 11 year-old and has been a member for over 66 years, as well as the club's youngest member Sydney Daniels, aged four, to break the ground.
More than 100 club members and dignitaries - Devonport-Takapuna Local Board councillors George Wood, Grant Gillon, Jan O'Connor, Mike Cohen and Mike Sheehy - attended the celebration of the start of works on the project, which has been over six years in the pipeline.
Milford TC's committee member Catherine Woodward said: "Since we discovered the existing clubhouse is earthquake prone and must be replaced, over 1000 volunteer hours have been spent and we have fundraised with a Givealittle campaign, dinner dances, quiz nights, movie nights and a bond offer to get the project off the ground. In all, the Club has raised some $700K towards this $1 million project. Grant funding has been provided by Auckland Council, Foundation North and Youthtown."
Senior Construction Ltd has been appointed to carry out the work, which will start in mid-January.