South Wagga Tennis Club president Scott Toole is plotting an entire overhaul of the facility following a landmark ruling from Wagga City Council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes after council’s Monday night decision to formally accept a $1.5 million grant from the state government under the Stronger Country Communities Fund, around $350,000 of which will go straight to the tennis club.
Wagga MP Daryl Maguire launched the funding announcement back in February but Toole was holding out for council’s final approval before celebrating.
“We’ve been pushing for this for around two and a half years now and finally it’s come through,” he said.
“It’s something we’ve worked really hard for.”
Toole’s plan is an ambitious one – six brand new synthetic grass tennis courts and a minimum of four ‘Hot Shots’ courts along with a brand new clubhouse and amenities.
“We’re planning to rebuild the entire South Wagga Tennis Club,” Toole said.
“The courts are worn out and in poor condition and, frankly, they’re unsatisfactory for playing adult tennis.
“We’re hoping for six courts minimum and the ‘Hot Shots’ section because we do want more kids coming through the facility.”
South Wagga Tennis Club is now turning its gaze to other funding avenues in an attempt to secure enough money to fulfill the grand development in one go.
“This project will be done, 100 per cent and no question, but we’ll need at least another $400,000 to do up a new clubhouse and have everything done at once,” Toole said.
“We want to see social tennis during spring and more coaching clinics and we’re looking at every means of securing funding to make this a reality.”
Wagga City Council strategic asset planner Ben Creighton said council had been working closely with South Wagga Tennis Club on the project.
“When completed the upgraded facility will provide additional recreation and sporting opportunities to large numbers of surrounding residents and the broader Wagga community catering for future population growth across the city,” he said.
“Council will continue to support all sporting and community organisations including the South Wagga Tennis Club in the planning, funding and delivery of community infrastructure.”
Toole agreed with Creighton’s assessment.
“This court is being built around the community and this area is definitely growing,” he said.