Toolamba tennis court user groups and supporters are thrilled with the announcement that long-awaited works are due to begin.
Photo by
Josh Huntly
Toolamba's sporting landscape is set for a major transformation, with the $1.2 million Multi-Sport Court Redevelopment kicking off on Monday, 1 September.
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The Toolamba Tennis Club site’s first major facelift in 25 years will have four new tennis courts installed, as well as markings for a netball court, new lights and upgraded fencing, with works to be carried out by Jarvis Delahey Contractors.
User groups and representatives from various organisations, including Tennis Victoria, Toolamba, Toolamba Tennis Club, Toolamba Lions Club and Toolamba Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and Greater Shepparton City Council gathered there on Monday to see off the old facilities.
A five-year process to secure funding culminated in the announcement of a successful Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund application that netted $847,000 – the remainder has been contributed by council.
Works are expected to be completed by mid-December.
“It’s a big project for the community,” Toolamba Tennis Club president Mel Calleja said.
“I think having a safe playing surface and safe facilities for our community is really important.
“We’ve got a really big junior group of children coming through; earlier this year, we had 40 children doing Hot Shots.
“We want to obviously try and sustain those numbers and have a facility for those kids to keep enjoying their tennis.
“It’s very exciting and the whole community's excited about it.”
Junior tennis stars such as Lola, Ted, Eddie, Charlotte, and William are set to benefit from the upcoming redevelopment.
Photo by
Josh Huntly
An audit of facilities took place in 2020 before designs were drawn up in 2023 and 2024.
An initial application for funding was knocked back, but second-round applications were successful and announced in July.
“The current tennis courts are being utilised all year round for tennis coaching, midweek competitions, as well as frequent use by the Toolamba Primary School, which is located just across the road,” City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said.
“The community have been advocating for an upgrade to the current facilities for several years, so we are extremely pleased to now be able to deliver on this and provide a multi-use development which can cater for tennis and netball players of all abilities.
“We have no doubt these new courts will serve many generations of players for years to come.”
Works will be done in stages to avoid disruption to the roughly 800-strong community.
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