WAGGA council will take the next steps towards designing a grand vision for Bolton Park with concept works to soon get under way.
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On Monday night, the city's councillors unanimously gave a green light for concept designs to be drawn up for specific elements of the $65 million Bolton Park master plan, which was endorsed by the council in June last year.
Wagga City Council's strategic asset planner Ben Creighton said the council needs to undertake the next level of concept designs in order to develop a detailed business case and accurate budgets for various elements of the project.
To be included in the concept design is the proposed sports hub, Jim Elphick Tennis Centre, Robertson Oval, Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre and the relocation of the existing croquet facility.
"It will give us the next level of designs that will allow us to really start planning around the costs and the staging of the project," Mr Creighton said. He said the council will now procure a design consultant, who will work with stakeholders to make sure the concept is right before moving forward with the project.
This phase of the project is expected to take six months, he said.
Jim Elphick Tennis Centre manager and head coach Tom Denahy said that although upgrade works are still far off from being completed, it is exciting to know there will be a new centre for tennis in the years to come.
Mr Denahy said an upgrade of the facilities at Bolton Park will mean "big things" for the future of tennis in Wagga, including being able to attract top players for tournaments and encouraging more people to come down and play.
"It is not that the courts are terrible. We have courts being used everyday down here, but it will be a big difference," he said.
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"The idea of having a new complex is very exciting for tennis in the region, with the experience of playing a fresh new court and being able to attract bigger names at tournaments from Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide."
The council already has $6 million set aside for the overall master plan project, which will need to be matched by the state and federal governments before it can be delivered.
However, the upgrade works for the city's main sporting and recreational precinct have already kicked off with a new multi-purpose facility.