KIAMA's tennis community is relieved and delighted by a lease extension to use the historic Blowhole courts, saying a slated club merger would ensure the sport's viability in the area.
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Kiama council had publicly exhibited the draft master plan for Kiama Harbour and Blowhole Point Crown Reserve, which was endorsed at the March council meeting.
The plan proposed the long-term retention of the tourist cabin park on Blowhole Point and highlights "the need to maximise the potential of the harbour precinct for commercial and tourist activity".
According to the draft master plan, in the short-term the tennis courts could be improved with additional drainage works and the regrading and revegetation of the quarry walls.
The courts were established in 1892.
"The tennis courts are located on a key strategic site," the report states. "In the long-term, consideration should be given to removing the tennis courts and exploring additional tourism opportunities."
There had been discussions between Kiama Tennis Club (350 members) and the Blowhole Tennis Club (15-16 members) about merging and sharing resources.
Blowhole Tennis Club president Jeannette Horrocks said the clubs had been looking at jointly working to restore the courts, but had been reluctant to do so without being certain of the courts' future.
At the meeting, council also resolved that the current lease may be extended by another seven years, should it be agreed to by the two clubs, and a formal arrangement reached between the clubs.
Alternatively, a separate seven-year lease could be looked at, at the end of the current lease.
The current lease ends August 2018.
Mrs Horrocks said the amalgamation would mean the club was a "stronger force".
"We already have the arrangement, we just need to sign it and formalise it," she said.