It is with great excitement that we can now announce that construction of the first stage of our facility upgrade project is due to commence on 24 August. The stage one works includes new court enclosure fences, LED lighting, base and surface works on courts 7 and 8. The courts will remain artificial grass. We will see new paving to cater for accessibility improvements and the old shelters will be removed and replaced with temporary bench seats (stage 2 will see these replaced with a pavilion, if and when the club can successfully lobby Council for that stage in the coming years). A design image with this announcement for your information. Site access for workers will be via the Bundoora Hall (access for court users will remain unchanged). The expected completion date is 6 December, with the exception of the new lighting poles which will be completed in January 2022. Council has budgeted $400k for this project and this is expected to fund 100% of the costs. The club owes a huge thanks to Banyule City Council and Mayor Rick Garotti for their incredible support and generous commitment, particularly in relation to this project.
This exciting outcome will build on recent infrastructure improvements undertaken by the club, including:
- The Book a Court online booking system installation in 2018 (76% funded by grants and rebates);
- Updates to the fencing and lighting on courts 1 & 2 in 2019 (93% of costs covered by grants);
- Installation of split-system heating and cooling in the club rooms in 2019 (fully funded by grants); and the
- Upgrade of lighting on courts 3 and 4 to efficient LED in 2020 (55% funded by grants).
We hoped that you are as thrilled by all of these achievements as we are! They certainly brighten 2021.