Daylight saving started on 27 September, so there's light after work again. For now, anyway.
The annoying bit is that finding a lit court doesn't mean you can use it. At most of the clubs we checked, the lights are a member perk.
Council courts
The council has public courts in parks all over the city: five at Hagley Park North, five at Sheldon Park, and one or two at plenty of others. Anyone can use them outside club times. The council's list doesn't mention lights for any of them, so assume they're daylight courts unless you know the one near you is different. There's a full list in our free courts post.
Clubs with lights
A few Christchurch clubs do have lights, but casual access is the catch.
Te Kura Hagley Park has 8 floodlit courts. You can turn up as a visitor for a $10 green fee, but only in daylight, and the club says plainly that the floodlit courts aren't for visitors. In winter the 5 to 8pm slots are members only.
Shirley has floodlights on four hard courts and two synthetic grass courts, "for members to use throughout the season." A one-off visit is $15, and there's a trial membership.
Bishopdale's six hard courts are lit too, for members over winter.
So for regular night tennis, a club membership is probably the easiest option. There are still a couple of ways to play later without joining one though.
Getting a hit in anyway
Play while it's light. With daylight saving, after-work hits on council courts are back for months.
Beckenham Tennis Club runs Cardio Tennis on Monday nights, 6.30 to 7.30pm, for $10, and non-members are welcome. It's drills and games to music and it's aimed at senior players, so it won't suit everyone. Email beckenhamtennis@gmail.com to get in.
If it's already dark, Wilding Park on Woodham Road is probably the most straightforward casual option, with 6 indoor courts for hire. Check Pay2Play or ring the centre on 03 389 6484 before heading over, as court availability and pricing can vary.
Hagley car parks
The Armagh Street and Riccarton Avenue car parks lock at 8.30pm in October and 9pm from November to February. Get locked in and you're ringing the council (0800 800 169) and paying to get your car out. More on the courts there in our Hagley Park guide.
This is actually one of the reasons we built Hitter. Finding a court is one thing; finding someone who's also free for a hit at 7pm is another.
Hitter helps Christchurch players find someone to play with when they're free. More at hitter.nz.
