By Tyler Wright
Two new sporting-standard synthetic tennis courts, as well as new LED competition-standard LUX lighting for night and low light level participation, new fencing, drainage and accessible concrete pathways and supporting infrastructure, are some of the new features expected soon at Cockatoo Tennis Club.
The $575,300 project is funded through Cardinia Shire Council and $250,000 from the Victorian Government through the Local Sport Infrastructure Fund – Community Facilities, and is expected to be completed by July 2023, weather permitting.
Demolition of the two existing southern courts begun on Friday 18 November, and Cockatoo Tennis Club Treasurer Andrew Welsh said it’s hoped enhanced accessibility to the facility will help build the club.
“The main benefit will be that we’ll be able to play more night tennis, because right now we’ve only got two courts with lights..it means we can add extra teams into the night tennis competitions that we play,” Welsh said.
“We’re doubling our accessibility for people to play tennis, whether that be for coaching, social events or court hire… the surface is old and very tired and worn… It’s going to be shiny and sparkly and it entices people to want to [play] club tennis.
“The benefits to that for the local community [are] involvement, fitness, kids have places to go…they can hire the courts for a small fee per hour, come down and learn a sport or generally run around in a fairly safe environment.”
The upgrade follows community engagement undertaken in December 2021 and October 2022, as well as ongoing close communication with Cockatoo Tennis Club and the local community.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Tammy Radford expressed thanks to the local community who provided feedback on the design concepts and to all key stakeholders involved in the project, particularly those who contributed letters of support to Council’s grant funding application.
Ranges Ward Councillor Jeff Springfield said these upgrades would ensure the grounds are once again fit for purpose, following the re-installation of new lighting on the northern courts in 2019.
“These upgrades will provide both the tennis club and local community with much-needed, accessible and safe facilities that will ensure they can continue playing and using the courts for years to come,” Cr Springfield said.
There will be some pedestrian access changes while the southern tennis courts are closed in order to carry out the works, with visitors to the reserve encouraged to plan their visit and to view the map available on the Creating Cardinia project page at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay.
For more information and updates on this project, visit the major project webpage for Cockatoo southern tennis court redevelopment at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/majorprojects.
