A five-time world squash champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist is taking charge of the renovation of the squash courts at Singleton Heights Sports Centre.
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Singleton Council has engaged Sarah Fitz-Gerald and husband Cameron Dalley to undertake the $36 000 project to install a new wall and floors on two of the four courts at the centre, with a view to continue the growth in popularity of the sport.
The couple use a state-of-the-art product from Germany that has revolutionised the construction of squash courts, leaving behind the rendered walls of decades gone by.
Peter McMurray, Council’s Manager Infrastructure Strategy and Planning, said the project was the result of extensive research into the standards for modern squash courts, with the works undertaken in collaboration with the YMCA and squash players at the centre.
“The dilapidated condition of the courts has been raised a number of times with Council, and we wanted to be sure we would get the best possible outcome for current players and people who will take up the sport into the future,” he said.
“We’ve been really happy to work with the community on this project, and are extremely confident of the delivery a state-of-the-art facility to perhaps inspire a new five-time world champion from right here in Singleton.”
Daniel Storey, the secretary and treasurer for the Singleton Heights Squash Club, said players of all ages and skill levels were welcome.
“The courts have been deteriorating for a long time and the condition of the walls made it pretty hard to play,” he said.
“It will be really good for people to see the work being done and with the change in our competition format to correlate with school terms, hopefully the new facility will see more people signing up to play squash.”
On her first visit to Singleton, Sarah Fitz-Gerald – five-time world champion, four-time Masters champion and a gold, silver and bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Games backed Daniel’s hopes the new facility would boost membership.
“Squash is a great sport because you don’t have to commit a lot of time [to play a game] and there are no weather or sun issues,” she said.
“And it’s good for all ages – a derivative of squash is racquetball which is suitable for kids and older people, so it’s a great entry and exist to the sport as well.”