Palmerston North SquashGym has received a grant of $40,000 from NZCT for roof repairs.
Committee Member Regan Thomas says, “Recent weather has made some building maintenance critical. Sections of the roof are overdue for replacement, with previous repairs now breaking down and failing. The building suffered water ingress damage in several areas, including the upstairs bathrooms adjacent to the lounge (which led to an insurance claim that only partially covers the cost of necessary repairs). This has directly impacted our function and meeting customers, as well as members and guests - particularly at our larger events.”
“The grant from NZCT will help cover the cost of critical maintenance to our building. Repairs are now urgent, as damage to the building is worsening with each rain storm. Our plans for further development of the club, further renovations, improvements and initiatives to better serve our members have all been pushed back while the focus is on making these critical repairs.”
“The grant from NZCT will help cover the cost of critical maintenance to our building. Repairs are now urgent"
Committee Member Regan Thomas
“We aim to continue to provide one of New Zealand's premiere indoor squash, gym, and multi-purpose facilities, supporting the health and wellbeing of our community by providing and encouraging affordable access to gym, sport, recreation and physical fitness.”
“Our facility is used by our financial membership of 500 plus sponsors / associates across the gym and squash players (some do both) who will directly benefit. Our facility is frequently used by members who host up to eighty guests (including many non-members) for business meetings or private functions in our lounge. The courts are ideal for fitness training activities and are also used for other activities such as dance lessons. We recently kicked off a new partnership with a table tennis club, hosting a series of table tennis events on our courts.“
“Between the financial members, casual players, our local and national tournaments, table tennis, private business meetings and functions, and other events we estimate the number of people who will benefit directly from NZCT’s generosity to be well over 5,000 annually.”
“We host several other activities, including the highly successful business house competition, challenger series, school programmes, personal gym training, as well as local, regional, and national events. The bar is a social hub that is used for a variety of social activities and business meetings, including professional development workshops.”
Palmerston North Squash Rackets club was established in 1936 with two wooden courts in Princess St, and moved to its present location in Linton St in 1957. It is NZ’s second oldest squash club and celebrated eighty-five years of service to the community in 2021. It now boasts eight glass back courts with two full size doubles courts, as well as a pro shop, gym, and bar that is available to hire for social events.
PN SquashGym is one of New Zealand's premier sporting club's, host to many New Zealand National Squash events over the years, including the 1971 World Men's Championship, the 2006 World Junior Men's Championships, and more recently the World Deaf Championships and the World Women’s Teams Championships in 2010. During the 1960s PN SquashGym become the home of Squash NZ with the executive based in Palmerston North and the home of several NZ champions and NZ representatives. The gym was added in 2004, when the trading name SquashGym was established.
In 2006, three new ASB courts were added with moveable walls that allow members to play doubles on full sized courts, making us the largest squash club in NZ at the time.
Supported by an ever-increasing player and membership base, the club now boasts eight glass back courts, including a championship gallery court, and a public gym. Other facilities include a pro-shop, club office, bar & lounge, changing rooms, and free parking for members and guests.
A winner at the 2003 Manawatu Business Awards, PN SquashGym is governed by an elected committee, an administrator, and friendly part-time staff. The public are very welcome to play casually.