Sponsored: Brian and Dorothy Fitzpatrick truly run a family business

Locally owned and operated by the Fitzpatrick family. Over 30 Years In The Game!

In the 40 years since they opened Blenheim Indoor Sports, their five children have worked on – and played in – their multi-sport centre that is celebrating another anniversary: 20 years at its Battys Road location in Springlands.

Evan Tuchinsky

Loyal employees stay year after year. Office manager Rachelle Newman, who joined them in 2021, is just one of them.

Most of all, customers find a home away from home where they, too, become like family. The Fitzpatricks and the staff greet their numerous regulars personally. In turn, regulars wave goodbye after finishing the activity of the day, be that cricket or netball or 10-pin bowling or a workout in FitzGYM, which opened in 2018.

“As people come through the door, we know 90% of their names,” Dorothy explained Thursday afternoon as bowlers worked on their skills in the back room and the crew prepared the front for the usual evening rush. “It’s like, ‘How are you? How was your day?’ We try to make it family friendly.”

“We meet so many nice people,” Brian said.

With the addition two months ago of virtual golf, Blenheim Indoor Sports offers 11 activities; others include badminton, pickleball and table tennis. A pool table sits just inside the entrance, near the counter where hungry and thirsty customers sidle up for refreshments served with smiles.

Blenheim Indoor Sports hosts classes, leagues, parties and corporate events. Just last month, it held the New Zealand Over-40s Indoor Cricket Masters Club Nationals, which brought in 15 teams – including the Blenheim squad that won the Plate Final by beating Dunedin.

The Fitzpatricks are particularly proud of another championship cricket team: the Blenheim Under-19s who won the NZ title in 2003. Players in the photo displayed on the wall include their sons Andy and Karl.

Origin story

Brian’s “love of cricket” inspired Blenheim Indoor Sports.

Before starting a building business, he was an avid player, and continued playing into his 40s. In the mid-1980s, Brian recalled, “indoor cricket was starting to go in a big way in Christchurch, there were quite a few centres, so I thought maybe it would go here.”

First, he needed to convince Dorothy. Thinking back on why she thought it was a good idea, she said: “I don’t really know!”

With a laugh, Brian replied: “She had no option!”

He “did some investigation,” however, by taking trips to Christchurch and Timaru. The Fitzpatricks then set up on New Renwick Road at the site of a former timber yard. They converted what had been a machine shop into their first sports facility.

It was a hit from the start.

“On the opening week, there was 67 teams,” Brian said. “That kept up for two or three years.”

In 1987, they added netball, the sport Dorothy played.

“She’s a life member of netball,” Brian said, “and I’m a life member of cricket.”

Adding indoor soccer, the centre remained on New Renwick Road until 2003. Seeking a new location, they found an old sawmill at 50 Battys Road.

Brian brought his building expertise to renovating the building. The Fitzpatricks got tremendous support from construction company owner Ian Simcox; in fact, Simcox Stadium at Blenheim Indoor Sports is named after him.

They first had to move out the sawmill machinery, then “had to smash all the floors and re-concrete.” Only one side wall and the roof remain from the original structure; “the rest had to be rebuilt.”

How they’ve grown

Blenheim Indoor Sports reopened 25 September 2005 “with just two nets,” Brian recalled, but still offered the three sports (cricket, netball and soccer).

Now they are up to 11. They added 10-pin bowling in 2011, pickleball in 2019 and, earlier this year, two bays of virtual golf where players can practice their drives rain or shine.

Six months a year, the centre serves as headquarters for the Marlborough Table Tennis Association and for Marlborough Indoor Bowls. Blenheim Indoor Sports also operates a school holiday programme.

“This has just grown,” Dorothy said, “as you can see by the list on the wall.” She pointed next to the netball court where painted on the wall is a wayfinding sign for indoor bowls, table tennis, 7-a-side netball, badminton, pickleball and the gym.

On the other side of that wall sits the 10-pin bowling alley with seven lanes. This spot is popular with Special Olympians who come weekly – and the adaptable space provides a vibrant and functional setting for all types of celebrations such as birthday bashes, family reunions or corporate events.

“It’s a place where anyone of any ability can play,” Dorothy said. “It’s a sport where a 1½-year-old to a 90-year-old can roll a ball down the ramp. It’s a sport that any age can play.”

Blenheim Indoor Sports is open daily. For hours, bookings and information, visit https://www.blenheimindoorsports.co.nz/ or call 03 578 4851.