Squashing in some fun

It’s a favourite rural hub with massive community support.

Scargill Squash Club has 50 members, who have hugely supported the progress and outcome of the recently completed Club’s extension, renovation, and new heating system.

Everyone is thrilled.

Club and committee member Jock Foster said local fundraising during the last three years has built up to $100,000 including firewood, numerous stock drives, Club members buying and finishing cattle, a ‘buy a brick’ campaign where locals buy a brick for $500 with their name being recognised in the clubrooms, and the Club now has 12 sponsors on board.

Funding has been received from Kate Valley Landfill and the Murray Family, as well as through Hurunui District Council’s Contestable Fund, where approximately $19,000 over the past three years has funded new joinery and a fire alarm system.

The building work was undertaken by local builders Johnson Construction, (Tom and Phil) with plenty of helping hands from locals for putting up the timber and digging holes.

Foster said the Club serves as a good place to get off the farm, keep fit during winter and share chats and laughs with good mates.

“During winter there’s people down here most nights, it’s an important part of the community.”

Members represent Greta Valley, Motunau, Scargill, Omihi and Waipara.

“We have a really wide membership, and the North Canterbury competition is the biggest in Canterbury, it’s in really good health.”

The Club has three teams entered in the North Canterbury competition on Tuesday evenings, and there is a Ladies’ team in the Wednesday North Canterbury competition.

Foster said squash has had a real revival in the last four years, lots of clubs have been improving their facilities.

“Local people are really proud of the Scargill Domain, and want to maintain this community asset.”,

There have been upgrades to the pavilion and Golf Club rooms, and the Birdsong Trust restoration project at the domain is going well with plenty of planting thanks to community input.

The official opening of the upgraded Club is happening on Sunday 11 August.