A POPULAR Perth squash club is facing an uncertain future despite enjoying a season of unprecedented success.

The club NUH 1—formerly Cherrybank—has all but swept the boards in the local competitions this year.

But the success is tinged with sadness for the Healthworks club, with their centre in Perth to close in less than a fortnight unless new operators are found.

The only other squash courts in Perth, at Bell’s Sports Centre, tend to be fully-booked so it is feared the lack of alternative facilities could end the club in its most successful term.

NUH 1 won the Dundee and District Squash Rackets Association first division title and league cup—the first Perth team to do the double for more than 20 years—and also won the Crieff and District league, league cup and handicap cup.

The triumph has filtered throughout the club with NUH Ladies also winning the DDSRA League and cup double and NUH 2 winning the Crieff and District second division.

NUH 3 were victorious in the DDSRA B Plate and Gregor Newton, NUH 1’s rising star, won the C & D Donaldson Cup.

His rate of improvement— he did not drop a game on his way to his way to his championship win—has seen him tipped for a place in the national league next year.

However, campaigners to keep Healthworks open after Norwich Union ended its lease fear it could be the end.

Squash club president Matt Shaw said, “In the last seven years NUH Squash Club has expanded from one team and a handful of people playing to six teams and approximately 80 to 100 regular players, very much against the trend which is one of general decline in people playing squash.

“If Healthworks is not saved one of—if not the—most successful squash club from Montrose down to Falkirk will become defunct.

“The only other squash courts in Perth, at Bell’s Sports Centre, are already at saturation point.

“In assessing the demand for provision of squash courts in Perth, Perth and Kinross Leisure have not factored in any new courts.

“While that is disappointing and perhaps a little shortsighted, it would only be understandable if Healthworks were to stay in the equation.”

The Save Healthworks Committee are preparing a five-year business plan for prospective new operators.

It will be launched at the “Big Event,” a show of support at 1pm on Sunday, April 27.

Copies of the plan are available to interested parties via committee chair Mike Robinson on 07795 087870 or Matt Shaw on 07817 940017.