That figure is the shortfall in the amount needed to resurface the eight courts in Molyneux Park, Alexandra, and time is running out for the project, with the new season starting in mid-May. The Central Otago senior and junior competitions are based at the courts so between 700 and 800 netballers use the facility every week.
Central Otago Netball Centre president Sally Bell said the centre was ''committed to getting the project off the ground''.
''There's a desperate need for the new surface and it's becoming a health and safety issue, with accidents happening because the surface of the existing courts is deteriorating and breaking down,'' she said. After ''three years of hard slog'', $547,000 had been raised towards the project but another $45,000 was needed.
''It will take a month to lay the rubberised surface and complete the work around the site and we hope to have it completed by the start of the season in mid-May,'' Mrs Bell said.
The centre had raised $75,000 with various fundraising ventures and was fortunate to receive several grants as well, including $275,000 from the Central Lakes Trust.
''We're optimistic of meeting our target in time. As well as applying for more funds from various trusts, we'll be going to local businesses, seeking their support,'' she said. The upgraded surface will include a warm-up area and four of the netball courts will also have tennis court markings. Promising young netballer Jamie Hume (16), of Earnscleugh, is one of the people using the courts in the off-season. Jamie, a year 13 pupil at Dunstan High School, has been selected as one of 24 players to trial for the New Zealand Secondary School team in Auckland in April.
She and Charlotte Elley, of Westport, are the only South Islanders selected for the trial. Jamie plays goal attack for the Dunstan Senior A team and she was chosen in a New Zealand talent development squad last year, taking part in a four-day camp at Cambridge, before being selected to try out for the national secondary schools squad. Former Otago coach Nic Jones is coaching her and Jamie said it was ''a bit of a juggle combining training with working two jobs over summer, but it worked out OK''.
She is believed to be the first Central Otago player to try out for the national schools team. Jamie's aim is be a Silver Fern one day.
