Two sporting codes at Hinds are hosting a garden tour to raise funds for much needed toilets at their shared courts.
Southern Netball and Southern Tennis clubs share the courts at the rear of Hinds School but do not have access to toilet facilities on site.
They are hosting a Southern Mid Canterbury Garden Tour, on November 9, to raise money for a new block with two toilets and a first aid room.
Tour spokesperson Ginny Groves, who has her foot in both camps as junior coordinator of Southern Netball and treasure of Southern Tennis, said eight gardens were included on the self-drive tour.
‘‘The addition of (facilities) will be mean the clubs will have a stand-a-lone facility that isn’t tied to the school, making it easier to access for our tennis interclub games, netball practices and what we hope to reestablish for each club, summer twilight competitions.’’
The site has three courts for each code, in their respective seasons, and lights for night time play.
Hinds Netball life member Fiona Keir and Hinds Tennis secretary Lucy Ellis said it was hoped building work currently under way at Hinds School would help keep costs down for the project, which was still being finalised.
However, toilet facilities were long overdue as players in-need had to make the dash and drive to the public toilets at Hinds Domain, on the other side of the railway tracks.
Keir said the majority of the club’s netball teams, which included 80 junior netballers and four social teams, practiced during the season at the site, while Ellis said there was a strong junior contingent of 40 players in the tennis club as well as a handful of senior players using the courts.
They were used for a weekly coaching session and interclub competition on Saturdays.
Groves said eight home owners had offered up their unique gardens for the tour.
‘‘We have been so fortunate with the generosity of those opening their gardens, all of which offer something different to look at and inspire.
‘‘Hinds Home & School will also be involved running a morning and afternoon tea at one of the gardens as a fundraiser for the school. Hinds Scout Group will also have a small selection of plants and seed packs for sale,’’ Groves said.
‘‘The idea is to try involve as many of our local groups as possible so the day is of benefit to everyone.’’
Talented local artists will have works on display at the Hinds Community Hall, and also at some of the gardens and attendees can wander around each of the unique grounds enjoying the vistas and being inspired.
The garden tour, which costs $40, includes stunning private gardens at Hinds, Coldstream, Ealing and Winslow. Among them tropical paradise settings, private lakes, sculptures, rustic charm.
There is also an option, for an additional $25, to include a gourmet picnic lunch, which would be served at the Hinds Community Centre.
‘‘‘People can really make an entire day of it and take there time exploring all the amazing gardens,’’ she said.
– Southern Mid Canterbury Garden Tour, a fundraiser to get toilet facilities for Southern Netball and Southern Tennis clubs, is on Sunday, November 9 from 10am to 4pm. Tour cost $40, or tour plus gourmet picnic $65. Tickets online via the Southern Mid Canterbury Garden Tour Facebook page or from Lushingtons Garden Centre, in Tinwald.
