A PROPOSAL to redevelop the deteriorating Olympic Park tennis courts in Mount Gambier has surfaced in a move to rejuvenate the sport and associated events.
Once home to events that attracted talented junior players such as world number one Ash Barty, it is hoped the substandard facilities can be overhauled under a $1.2m blueprint.
Mount Gambier City Council will consider a request by tennis authorities – including Tennis Australia – to include the Olympic Park upgrade within the broader scope of the $39.1m community and recreational centre development.
The courts – which have been described as “hazardous” – was home to the popular Blue Lake Women’s International tennis tournament before it was axed in 2012 due to safety concerns.
It is hoped new modern facilities could attract junior tournaments to Mount Gambier to boost tennis participation and the tourism sector.
While City Council has agreed to an in-principle contribution of $400,000, the project will need additional funding from other sources to get it over the line.
Mount Gambier Tennis Association president Matthew Charlton said the upgrade was long overdue.
“At this stage our courts do not meet the required standard to hold any tournaments,” Mr Charlton said.
“We used to host the Blue Lake classic here but we lost that because the surface got to the state that it is in now.
“But the exciting thing about getting the courts renovated is we could host events like that again.”
Mr Charlton said elite tournaments – particularly junior events – would bring families to the city alongside regional children who would gain exposure to upgraded surfaces.
“We were a little disappointed the complex as a whole was not going to be redone. But council is looking at that possibility now and we have the opportunity to upgrade the entire area,” the regional tennis advocate said.
“The tennis association will continue to support the recreation centre as we believe it is a great initiative to get kids and the community out and more active.”
Discussions have already been held with Tennis SA and Tennis Australia with a vision to install hot surfaces encased with acrylic.
“These new courts – if we can gain the appropriate funding – will be more comfortable to play on and less pressure on players’ joints,” Mr Charlton said.
Mr Charlton said the association was keen to incorporate a viewing area for family members.
He suggested a revamped facility would enable the district’s tennis players to unite, creating the Olympic Park site as a “home base”.
“For us it would increase our numbers as other clubs will make this area their home base,” Mr Charlton said.
“But it would also turn into a pretty fantastic facility to have alongside the recreation hub with the netball courts and new tennis courts.”
Mount Gambier councillors are likely to canvass the issue at this month’s full council meeting.
This follows council’s community and recreation hub sub-committee flagging the possibility of including lighting and court refurbishment into a broader blueprint.
A further report is also expected to be tabled for elected members to consider the tender costing received for the refurbishment items.
Council has yet to commit funding for the proposal.
