An eagerly anticipated tennis pavilion at Spring Gully Tennis Club is a step closer, with Sports Minister James Merlino turning the first sod on the project today.
Visiting Spring Gully as part of the Brumby Labor Government’s Bendigo Region Community Cabinet, Mr Merlino representatives and supporters of the club to mark the start of construction of the new facility at the Club’s home Spring Gully Reserve.
“Our local sporting clubs are at the heart of our communities and by improving the quality of their facilities we’re helping more people get active,” Mr Merlino said.
“With more and more families moving into the area, the demand for tennis in Spring Gully is on the up. The club now has over 220 members, and an estimated 150 casual players.
“The new pavilion will provide even more opportunities for the club and the community to get out on the court and have a hit.”
The new pavilion will include a sheltered viewing area, social and meeting space, kitchenette and new accessible toilet amenities. It will replace the existing small hut currently in use.
“Tennis in winter at the Reserve can be hard due to the frost and cold – the new sheltered areas will provide welcome protection for players and spectators alike,” Mr Merlino said.
“Hopefully we’ll see a boost in numbers participating at the Club, regardless of the season.”
Mr Merlino said the Brumby Labor Government had contributed $60,000 towards the development of facility through the Community Facility Funding Program.
“The funding continues to provide more opportunities for local people to get active and involved in sport and recreation through the development and upgrading of local sport and recreation facilities like these,” Mr Merlino said.
Mr Merlino acknowledged the City of Greater Bendigo for its investment of $88,000 and the Spring Gully Tennis for their contribution of $50,000 towards the project.
“Working together we can ensure local clubs can continue to be a focal point not just for the development of grassroots sports, but also provide a range of opportunities for the whole community,” Mr Merlino said.
“By encouraging participation we can improve levels of physical activity to enhance a person’s overall health and wellbeing.”
Mr Merlino said the Victorian Government has invested more than $197 million through the Community Facility Funding Program towards more than 2,100 community facility projects across Victoria since 2000.