Community invited to celebrate opening of Sunshine Coast Regional Tennis Centre

The community is invited to join in the celebrations to officially open the Sunshine Coast Regional Tennis Centre at Caloundra on Saturday, March 21 from 10am to noon.

Division 2 Councillor Tim Dwyer said the $2.6 million facility would be officially opened by Member for Fisher Mal Brough.

“The centre, which was delivered by Sunshine Coast Council, designed by Brand and Slater Architects and built by Murphy Builders Queensland, is one of only seven regional tennis facilities across Queensland endorsed by Tennis Australia and Tennis Queensland,” Cr Dwyer said.

“The facility includes nine new plexipave courts, including a full show court, which allows it to cater for regional, state, national and international events making it a catalyst for economic development, social inclusion and community wellbeing.

“In addition to the new courts, additional infrastructure includes lighting, fencing, shelters, pathways, disabled access, landscaping and car parks.

“The new facilities link into the existing courts and clubhouse, creating a truly regional centre for the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

“A range of junior and senior high-level tennis events will be attracted to the newly completed regional tennis centre, which also offers development pathways for grassroots players while accommodating elite competitors and high performance programs.”

Cr Dwyer said Sunshine Coast Council, in partnership with the Australian Government, Tennis Australia, Tennis Queensland, Elite Tennis International and the Caloundra Tennis Association, developed the Sunshine Coast Regional Tennis Centre facility in Arthur Street to meet growing sporting needs.

“In addition to Council’s contribution, a $773,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund along with contributions from Tennis Australia and Tennis Queensland were used to construct the $2.6 million facility,” he said.

“The Regional Tennis Centre upgrade and expansion was delivered as the first stage of the Caloundra Central Park Sport and Recreation Precinct Master Plan.

“The aim of the master plan is to create a premier destination for sport and recreation over the next 11 years (2011-2026), and assist the future development of sport and active recreation in Caloundra and the surrounding region.

“The Sunshine Coast’s close proximity to the massive population base of South East Queensland will ensure that the constructed facility attracts players and spectators with the potential to bring economic benefit to the region of up to $4.5 million annually.”