Melbourne , 5 April 2012 | Tennis Australia

Hume City Council has joined forces with Tennis Australia and Stockland to bid for Federal and Victorian Government funding for a new community and regional tennis centre.

The $8.2 million project is seeking support through the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) and the Victorian Community Support Grants to develop the Hume Community and Regional Tennis and Centre in Craigieburn.

This development will include:

• a multi-purpose community facility, comprising meeting and function spaces and offices
• accessible change rooms and amenities, kitchen and catering facilities
• the construction of 18 Australian Open Grand Slam standard tennis courts
• a seated arena capable of staging national and regional tennis championships.

Tennis Australia CEO Steve Wood said, “Craigieburn has been identified as a key location for a facility capable of hosting regional, state and national tennis events and other large scale community events.”

“Tennis regards itself as having a responsibility to health and wellbeing of the nation. This world-class facility will deliver a legacy of continued health and wellbeing, through active participation and athlete development for the Craigieburn community and surrounding regions.

“Tennis Australia’s vision is to create 75 regional tennis centres over the next five years of which Hume is one.”

Former player, Davis Cup Captain and current board member, John Fitzgerald believes these venues will drive the future of tennis in Australia.

“Centres such as the Hume Community and Regional Tennis Centre, provide the opportunity for aspiring tennis players to reach the highest levels of the sport.

“If funded, the project will play a major role in the development of the next generation of tennis players in this country.

“The facility will offer high performance training facilities with a junior focus, sustainable programs and attract people from Victoria and Australia wide to participate in tennis tournaments.”

Hume City Council Mayor Councillor Ros Spence says the community centre will also provide a world-class recreational facility for local residents.

“The Hume Regional Tennis Centre will be a huge asset to the Craigieburn community and the entire Hume municipality,” Ms Spence said.

“Hopefully the next Samantha Stosur or Rod Laver will learn the game right here in Hume.

“We know how important local sporting facilities are to the community, that’s why Council continues to invest heavily in local sport and recreation.

“The Hume Regional Tennis Centre will be an outstanding addition to our existing recreational facilities. We are delighted to be working with Stocklands, Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria on this state-of-the-art development,” Cr Spence said.