There was much celebration at Nutting Hall in Stirling last week as the Border Badminton Committee revealed the newly renovated sporting facilities.
“From the beginning of 2019, the committee has been on a mission to revamp our hall. It was a bit overdue and inevitable,” said Border Badminton president Karen Coetzer.
The makeover began in the foyer which was left in a messy state following its use as a voting station during the May elections.
The IEC “splashed ink everywhere”, said Coetzer, but eventually agreed to repaint it.
“That gave us all the initiative to move forward and carry on with the rest,” she said.
In addition to a fresh coat of grey paint, the committee set about replacing and repairing lights and removing rust.
“We first considered doing it ourselves but when we realised how high the structure was, it was suggested that we maybe go out and get a contractor, which we did,” Coetzer said.
Another new addition was the inclusion of picture frames in the foyer area.
“What we’re hoping to do is right from junior to senior badminton, going back at least 20 years. We’re going to put history back in the hall,” said Coetzer.
She called on any Border Badminton members to donate their photographs for inclusion in the new exhibition. Those who didn’t want to part with the originals, could submit copies instead.
The centre-piece of the renovations is obviously the repainted badminton courts which came courtesy of Prominent Paints.
According to Coetzer, the idea for a sponsorship came up when Prominent Paints representative Clinton Biel – a former pupil of Coetzer’s – arrived at Buff’s Club one night.
The conversation eventually turned to the issue of the hall and Coetzer’s desire to give it a facelift.
“He had a twinkle in his eye and he said ‘Well I’ll see what I can do for you’,” she said.
A few days later, Biel returned with an offer from Prominent Paints to sponsor the painting of the courts to the tune of about approximately R30,000.