6 December 2011 | Tennis Victoria

A joint partnership between the Traralgon Tennis Association, Latrobe City Council, Tennis Victoria, Tennis Australia and the Victorian Government will see the Traralgon Tennis Centre receive a massive court resurfacing project. The project will see three types of playing surfaces installed to deliver one of the most state-of-the-art tennis facilities in Australia. The $700,000 project will be completed in time for January’s Traralgon Tennis International. The resurfacing project will include:

• 14 courts with Plexicushion surfaces – the same surface used in the Australian Open
• Eight Courts with a Plexipave surface, with the same blue finish as the Plexicushion/Australian Open courts
• Two courts to be resurfaced as synthetic clay courts

The Victorian MP for Morwell, Russell Northe, stated that the State Government has assisted in resurfacing courts to help secure events such as the Latrobe City/Loy Yang Power International Pro Circuit and the International Tennis Federation junior international tournament.

“This International Pro Tour event had brought some of the biggest names in tennis to the region as players attempted to break into the top 100 world rankings. This competition attracts an enormous number of visitors and creates a huge economic boost, with our local hotels booked out and our restaurants and retail outlets receiving a significant increase in patronage.”

Last year’s winner Luke Saville went on to win the Wimbledon Junior title. Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said that the Traralgon Tennis Centre was a regional centre of excellence.

“On completion of the resurfacing project, the Traralgon Tennis Centre will be the only centre in regional Victoria that will have three different playing surfaces. This opens up many opportunities for the centre in terms of hosting tournaments as well as improving the skills of the users. Having access to the multiple surface types will be a huge bonus for the players.”

Traralgon Tennis Centre President Neville Pattle said that the new surfaces would be a great addition.

“Hosting the Pro Tour provides a significant economic impact and benefits, not just for our tennis centre and town, but for the wider Latrobe City area throughout the duration of the tournament. The number of visitors, players and officials expected is around 500. They stay in the region for an average of six days and with many of the competitors being from overseas, this tournament, and others we may be able to host in the future, gives us an opportunity to showcase elite athletes in the region, and to boost the profile of Latrobe City and the Gippsland area.

“We are looking forward to the completion of the court resurfacing and to the beginning of the tennis season. We would encourage visitors to come along and watch potential new champions in the making.”