Towong Shire Council Mayor Peter Tolsher was today joined by Sport and Recreation Victoria’s David Booth to officially open the new Tallandoon Tennis Courts following the first major upgrade to facilities since the courts were built in the 1960’s.
The $600,000 project was delivered by Council with support from the Victorian Government, and in partnership with the Tallandoon Tennis Club and the Recreation Reserve Committee. The Tennis Club and the Reserve Committee – with the help of residents – oversaw the demolition of the old courts, the fencing around the courts, and the lights, clearing the way for the redevelopment to begin.
The project received $456,771 of State Government funding through the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Funding program to conduct civil, electrical and construction works to replace the two aged concrete courts with high quality acrylic courts and installation of club competition standard lighting.
New fencing and an accessible path linking the courts to the clubrooms have also been constructed as part of the redevelopment.
Towong Shire Council Mayor Peter Tolsher said: “Planning and delivering this project has been a real team effort. Tallandoon contributors include: the Tallandoon Tennis Club, Tallandoon Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, Tallandoon Hall Assembly, Mighty Mitta Muster Committee, Noorongong Fire Brigade, and members of the Mitta Valley community.
“Council would also like to warmly thank the State Government who, through the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Funding program, provided more than $450,000 to redevelop the courts. We would also like to thank Mr David Booth from Sport and Recreation Victoria for joining us today at the official opening of the new courts.
Mayor Tolsher said this project was another example of Council supporting projects that facilitate sport and recreation as well much needed social connection and the improved community wellbeing that brings in regional towns.
“Community Wellbeing is the first strategic objective in our Council Plan, and Council is placing an emphasis on building new – and renovating existing – recreation reserves across the Shire. These clubs and facilities across Towong Shire are much more than just facilities where sport is played – they are places where our communities connect and the tennis courts in Tallandoon are a perfect example of this in action,” he said.
“The original concrete courts in Tallandoon were built in 1963 and for more than six decades they have been a place where people from Tallandoon and the wider Mitta Valley communities have met, and community bonds have developed and grown. This will continue and we are delighted that the Club can also now compete with two new courts as well as competition grade lighting.
“Council would also like to extend special thanks to the late Roger Peters who was a club stalwart and was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. Roger was deeply involved in the extensive community consultation that supported this project,” Mayor Tolsher said.
A plaque will be located onsite to permanently recognise Mr Peters’ contribution to the Club over the many years of his membership as well as to the redevelopment.
President of the Tallandoon Tennis Club Laura Sutherland said: “The opening of the new courts and facilities here in Tallandoon will provide a major boost to not only local tennis players but the wider community who gather here.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to Sport and Recreation Victoria, Towong Shire Council, and to our club members, volunteers and the local community who all worked hard at the Club to assist with the redevelopment. As a result, we now have courts here that are at least the equal of any in North East Victoria.”
Ends.
