The halcyon sport of the 1980s - squash - looks like it will continue to go the way of the video store and roller skating rink and become a nostalgic rarity, as the last courts in the Mountains may finally bite the dust.
Springwood Country Club’s nine-member board is considering turning their two squash courts into a gym, signalling the end of a 45-year love affair with the club and the sport.
The Hawkesbury Road squash courts are believed to be the last courts in operation between St Marys and Lithgow.
Springwood Country Club board president Roy Bowyer said they were collaborating with the squash club, but could “need to take difficult decisions regarding the club's income to protect the financial future of this 106-year-old club and keep it in the control of the members”.
Mr Bowyer said they had “no control” over “increasing electricity and water costs – the result of climate changes – which were threats to community organisations, like ours” and were “collecting information, in particular financial numbers, so we can consider a proposal” over the next two months before making a final decision about the “under used” courts.
Springwood Squash club president, Terry McDonald is disheartened by the news and was one of three squash club members to write to the Gazette about the mooted closure.
“As a member of the country club, and an active member of the Springwood squash club I am very disappointed to hear that the golf club want to close the squash club down and replace it with a gym.
“I have been playing squash at the courts for the best part of 30 years, it has always been a great place to play and meet local people. Like so many people that live in the Mountains I commute every day and if not for places like the squash club, how does one get to know the locals and the community?”
Mr McDonald said the club was a valuable community asset attracting up to 70 members from 13 to 75 with weekly competitions, a Healthy Kids school sport program, as well as numerous charity events. He has urged the club to reconsider the proposed closure.
Another member, Greg Chidgey of Winmalee also attacked the plan.
”It is not as if we don't already have enough gyms.
“The squash club has grown from strength to strength in recent years, running two comps a week on Tuesday nights and Thursday nights… [and] introduced some young players to squash, many as young as eight or 10.”
He said retired players were training about 30 school students each week at no cost.
Another member Matthew Nicholson [see Letters pages] wants the local community to “be aware of our plight … especially those that have played at the courts in the past and have maybe lost touch and support us in our bid to remain at the golf club”.
Mr Bowyer said many golf clubs had ceased to exist because they had failed to “make difficult decisions early enough”.
“But I can understand the emotion of the squash players. We haven’t closed our minds.”
