Tennis club survives despite flood damage

FOR the members and management of Sunday’s Well Tennis & Boating Club, the night of November 19, 2009, will long endure as a fateful and dramatic event when the life and history of this venerable Cork institution was almost washed away in the flash flooding that beset the entire city.

When a combination of prolonged rain and pent up dam water surged with relentless destructive power to engulf Cork’s western boundaries, this scenic haven of sport and leisure found itself deep in the path of an unstoppable force which left the clubhouse and tennis courts submerged under six feet of water. “When the flood water receded and the full extent of the damage to virtually all areas of the club was revealed, it was, without doubt, one of our darkest days,” says John Walsh. “We had not been able to obtain flood insurance due to our location on the riverbank and therefore any recovery programme and the cost involved would have to come from our own resources — resources that just did not exist at the time.”

However, as a result of the indomitable spirit and good fellowship common to all sporting codes across the country, the members of the club dug deep — both financially and physically — to avert the crisis. “As access to the club cleared in the immediate aftermath, members began to arrive in amazing numbers to offer help and encouragement. The sheer scale of the initial clean up was daunting, but people just rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in,” he recalled. “All of this work was unpleasant and dirty, to say the least, but these members, regardless of their jobs, sex or age worked tirelessly for four days until all the silt, debris and even fish had been removed from the buildings and courts.”

When the surfaces of three of the eight courts were rolled back into place, the club was again open for business. The estimate for restoring the clubhouse and grounds was €70,000 — a figure the committee decided to pursue through voluntary contributions. “Once again the response was remarkable and despite these difficult times all areas of the club are now fully restored to their former glory,” says John Walsh.

Like many other clubs during the economic downturn, however, Sunday’s Well has experienced its share of changes: “The club has not been immune from the effects of the recession and we have lost members because of this. Sadly, some members have lost their jobs and a small number have emigrated. As a members club we are very sympathetic in cases like this and strictly confidential arrangements can be made to continue membership if at all possible.” He notes that, ironically, footfall through the club has increased as members use the facilities more and expect better value for their annual subscription.

In its strategic location beside Fitzgerald’s Park and within easy walking distance of the city centre, the management and committee of Sunday’s Well Boating & Tennis Club view the current period as a great opportunity for potential new membership to emerge. “This is a great time to join the club,” says John Walsh. “Fees have been reduced considerably and phased payment of this can even be arranged. We are a not-for-profit members club so we only charge what is necessary to keep all our facilities in good running order. We also have a diverse range of activities available here, tennis, squash, snooker, fully equipped gym, sauna and social activities of various kinds – all for the one subscription.”

While the bulk of the membership mainly comprises Cork City and County residents, the club also counts its members from Dublin, Britain and as far afield as Hawaii and Vancouver. To broaden its appeal beyond tennis and other social activities, the club opened its gym facilities in 2003 — a move that continues to yield additional activity and enthusiasm. “The gym is staffed by instructors who are compatible with the member profile here, and the associated activities of spinning, toning, pilates and weight management classes have proved to be an important asset in attracting new members and retaining existing ones.”

Last year a group of gym enthusiasts cycled from Malin to Mizen Head and in 2009 members cycled from Cork to Killarney and climbed Carrauntoohil on the same day, raising over €26,000 for the Mercy Hospital in the process. The club’s location overlooking the River Lee has also proven a boon for its burgeoning functions trade, with an increasing amount of birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations now established on its weekly calendar: “As we have improved the facilities, more members now avail of the facilities and we are very conscious of striking a happy balance between member functions and other club activities.”

While the growing variety of sporting activities throughout the country results in robust competition between clubs, tennis continues to thrive as new generations discover its sporting joys. “Tennis is just as popular as ever and is the core of this club,” says John Walsh. “It’s a game for life — we have playing members ranging from under six years to over 80 here. We have over 170 juniors in our squad programme and this number has been maintained despite the current economic climate. Some social games have been running for 40 years and more,” he adds.

Parent and child events, American tournaments, social tennis as well as league and cup events are available for the more competitive player. Looking to the future of a club that has so far survived two world wars, many financial depressions and a number of natural disasters, the current management look to chart a ‘steady as she goes’ course as the current generation add their contribution in a line stretching back to 1899. “For the future generations, I would hope that the club spirit and ethos will be exactly the same as it is now,” John Walsh concludes. “The club always keeps an eye to the future — you can’t know exactly what the demand is going to be for so we need to be in a position to adapt so that we can respond to the needs of members in the future. Keeping Sunday’s Well Tennis & Boating Club a happy and a fun place to be. That’s what it’s all about.”

Name: John Walsh

Occupation: Manager, Sunday’s Well Boating and Tennis Club

Background: The club was founded in 1899, shortly after a summer regatta and water carnival had been held on the River Lee. Still occupying its original site on the Mardyke Walk, it was linked with the Cork International Exhibition of 1902, when the present clubhouse was built for visiting dignitaries, including King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.