Goya Dmytryshchak
Hobsons Bay council has received $1 million state government funding towards the redevelopment of 11 courts at Altona Tennis Club.
It is believed the project’s total cost is about $1.5 million, with the remainder to come from the council.
President Jerome Champetier de Ribes said it was the largest amount of funding received in one hit in the club’s history.
Funds will be used to construct five Classic Clay courts and six red porous courts, including new fencing, irrigation and LED lighting.
The project will enable the club to relocate its courts to provide space for two future courts when a new clubhouse is built above parking spaces.
“It’s the biggest club in the western suburbs in the number of courts, and it’s the only one that has presently eight clay courts, which is very rare on the west side,“ Champetier de Ribes said.
“Many clubs with clay courts in the old times have transformed their clay courts into hard courts and the reason why is because it’s less maintenance.
“But clay courts, by many good players and especially our older members, are considered nicer to play on. Classic Clay is the artificial surface which offers the nearest playing sensations to clay.
“We have about 250 full members but the total number of people in the community using the courts is 600. This number is expected to increase in two years when we will offer 11 beautiful new courts.“
The funding will also be used to implement an online court booking system.
Altona MP Jill Hennessy announced the funding as part of the government’s community sports infrastructure stimulus program.
