Tennis ‘shake-up’

MICHELLE HERBISON
A NEW study is set to shake up tennis facilities throughout the Barwon region, according to a council boss
Borough of Queenscliffe chief executive officer Lenny Jenner said the review could prompt closures or revivals of facilities.
The borough secured $50,000 State Government funding last week to review tennis facilities in the region’s five municipalities.
The funding will add to a Tennis Australia contribution of $25,000 toward the study, announced last year.
Mr Jenner said many tennis courts throughout the region had “gone into a state of disrepair”.
“Some haven’t been used for possibly 10 years.”
Mr Jenner said many smaller towns could benefit from better shared facilities in a central location rather than “maintain a low standard in lots of areas”.
He suggested the study could lead to closure of courts in his own borough at Queenscliff’s bowls club and primary school.
“The borough’s got fantastic facilities at Point Lonsdale. This would happen in each of the local government areas.”
Geelong Lawn Tennis Club general manager Ken Barton said the review would result in a plan “everyone understands”.
“In the past decisions were made often with no real plan in place. This is a really positive step to drive the growth of the sport in the future,” he said.
Mr Barton said a recent Davis Cup tie in Geelong had boosted the community’s interest in tennis.
Tennis Australia predicts that in the next 15 years the sport’s club memberships will grow 700 per cent in City of Greater Geelong, 400 in Golden Plains Shire and Borough of Queenscliffe and 300 in Surf Coast Shire and Colac Otway Shire.