It has also hit out at the process behind the decision and the lack of any detailed analysis around it.
The council decided at a meeting this week to opt to build six wooden courts in the new centre which is due to start construction later this year.
The $28 million centre was originally set to have four timber-sprung playing courts and two synthetic courts but made a change this week to go for six timber-sprung courts.
The decision was welcomed by the events centre board who had asked for the move to six wooden sprung courts. With no synthetic courts left in the centre, tennis is now on the outer.
North Otago Tennis vice-president Belinda Hirst said the preference would have been to play tennis in the centre.
"So we’re disappointed, but more by the process and lack of a detailed analysis than the council vote," she said.
She said it would have been a wonderful opportunity to expand events and sports, enriching the positive developments happening in our community.
"All of our members ... face a critical shortage of training and playing facilities for seven months each year, hindering their performance and development. Being a part of this facility would have been such an invaluable resource, allowing us to play and train seven days a week, day and night, in all seasons."
She said the argument of tennis using courts not generating enough income did not stack up.
"The argument of fewer people using a court and therefore generating less income is flawed — the cost to hire the court will be the same, it will just be split by more people for sports like netball or basketball. Tennis players are used to paying more when at events/tournaments at other centres, like the Edgar Centre."
Other opportunities for players and the sport such as coaching and masters playing were not explored by the trust and council.
Tennis officials met the events centre trust at the start of April.
The meeting was to discuss tennis’ requirements for the new centre and our anticipated use.
"It was at this meeting we were informed that councillors might be asked to revoke their December decision and change to six wooden spring courts."
The trust had offered to help raise funds for an alternative venue for tennis in the town.
"While we appreciate the fundraising assistance offered by the trust, the reality is they still have $4 million to raise to ensure the completion of the event centre itself and an additional $4 million-5 million for the grandstand, as their priorities"
The tennis committee had not yet had time to look at what it did now as it was under the impression it was going into the events centre.
North Otago Netball president Kim Neill said it was good news for all sport in North Otago to get the six courts.
"It is good for the whole community — not just netball."
The six timber courts would future proof sport in the district.
Sports such as pickleball, volleyball and futsal were gaining momentum and would only continue. She could see a time where these sports would be bigger than netball and basketball.
South Island tournaments could be hosted at the stadium with six courts.
She said predictions were there would be a 20% growth in netball playing numbers in the first year of the centre, and that would grow to 50% in the second year.
Wooden courts were good on the body and allowed older people to play. Games would go ahead regardless of weather conditions and games could be played at night. — Additional reporting by Steve Hepburn
