Before the nets have even gone up at the new Omokoroa Tennis Club, before the flash new LED lighting system has been turned on and the first ball whacked in anger, the group is looking to expand.

Omokoroa Tennis Club's steering committee at the site of the courts at the Western Ave ground before construction started.

When the club went to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council for assistance two years ago, the plan was for 50 or 60 members and two courts.

But with the planned opening day of the new courts only three weeks away, the club has 100 members on the books.

'One hundred players and two courts doesn't compute,” says the club's acting treasurer/membership secretary Steve Wall.

The courts are still coming together. 'The asphalt is due to go down, then the artificial surface and lights, while club members are doing the landscaping.”

All going well with the work and the weather, the Omokoroa Tennis Club will open on Friday, June 26,” says Steve. There will be an official council opening and then a 'bit of a bash”.

The Omokoroa Tennis Club had humble beginnings. For many years the club met on the courts at Omokoroa Point School between 9am and 11am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

'Then two years ago we decided we needed somewhere to play tennis when we wanted.”

And before the new $250,000 complex at Omokoroa Sports Ground is even opened, the club is making a case for another two courts.

'With an online booking service for club members and being available to the wider public, we need more space, more courts already,” says Steve.

And June 26 will be a special day for Jimmy Carson. At 87, Jimmy is the club's oldest member. There's also a woman of 85, who'll be turning out for the day.