By Tyler Wright
The Cockatoo Tennis Club is enjoying a facelift after a funding boost from Cardinia Shire Council and the state government.
The southern tennis courts now boast two new safer, synthetic grass court surfaces, new 350 LUX LED lights, which will allow users to play tennis after dark, new fencing and wider entry points to make the courts more accessible to all.
The council contributed more than $370,000 to the project, with the Victorian government providing $250,000 through the 2021-22 Local Sports Facilities Fund – Community Facilities.
The better and brighter courts were officially opened to the public on Thursday 10 August by the commitee, Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino MP and Cardinia Shire Mayor, Cr Tammy Radford.
Club president Ross Galt said he hopes the upgrades will boost the club’s participation numbers.
“We’ve been hanging out for these courts for a while, because we put a bit of work into getting the old ones playable, but they were a bit past it,” Galt said.
“They were initially bitumen and at a later stage, they were given an upgrade and synthetic grass was put on, but the bitumen underneath was a little bit up and down, a little bit lumpy.
“Then [the council] had the opportunity to get these properly redeveloped…It was brilliant because we’re hoping to build the club, get a few members and get a bit more interest in it.”
Electronic locks have been installed on the courts with the assistance of Tennis Victoria, Galt said, giving the committee an opportunity to hire the facilities out.
“From that, we’ve had social players coming in regularly having a hit down on the courts and they pay a social membership,” he said.
“Our goal is to try and get it back to numbers, to get a number of junior teams, a few more ladies teams, hopefully midweek ladies and a number of night tennis teams.”
Mayor Radford thanked the state government for their contribution to the community project.
“The generous contribution from the state government was integral to this project’s completion”, she said.
“This is just one of a number of joint ventures between state and local government that will benefit the residents of the Cardinia Shire.”
Cardinia Shire Ward Cr Jeff Springfield said the new facility was great for the Cockatoo community.
“Thanks to the upgrades to the courts and lighting, more members of the community can play all year long,” Springfield said.
“I’m pleased that community feedback helped shape this project, ensuring the new courts had wider entry points and pathways to make them more accessible.”
The Cockatoo Tennis Club is located at 2 McBride Street in Cockatoo.
