A common complaint about the squash courts at the Southland Leisure Centre in recent years has been about the lighting. Most frequent players consider the lighting inadequate and the squash courts disappointingly dark.
The lack of light combined with the gray concrete ceilings and the unusual density of black-on-white ball marks on the side walls makes it difficult, at times, to follow the ball as it flies around the court. This, combined with the formerly dirty condition of the courts has caused some players to forgo playing at Southland completely.
Great news, though! The squash courts at Southland are now cleaner than they have ever been. Management at the SLC was receptive to lobbying by members of the Southland Squash Club last year and have since raised the standard for cleanliness on the facility’s two squash courts.
Lighting on the courts has also been enhanced (a little) by replacing bulbs and cleaning fixtures. And now comes word that the fixtures in both courts will be outfitted with new ballasts that will reduce power consumption and increase light in one fell swoop.
There is no word yet on the exact dates when this will occur, but we do know that each court will be done in turn. Court One will close for a few days while they replace the ballasts there. Then it will re-open and Court Two will close.
The Southland Squash Club has no say in when this will (or won’t) happen, but we have recommended waiting until indoor racquet season ends in April before undertaking this important maintenance.
