Australian Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley will be in Bendigo to celebrate the official opening of the new $994,600 grandstand at the Fosterville Gold Bendigo Tennis Centre this Friday by Greater Bendigo Deputy Mayor Rod Fyffe and Senator Jane Hume.
The opening of the undercover 400 seat grandstand officially completes a $6.175M redevelopment of the Fosterville Gold Bendigo Tennis Centre.
The redevelopment has also included construction of a new pavilion featuring two function rooms, a new kitchen and kiosk, public toilets, reception area, a pro shop, an administration area, accessible change rooms and toilets and a tournament office. In addition, four tennis courts have been upgraded to meet International Tennis Federation standards and new LED lighting technology has been installed. Car parking has also been expanded and landscaping works undertaken. New lighting and plexi-cushion has been installed on a further seven courts at the centre and three hot shot courts to help local kids learn to play tennis, have been constructed.
City of Greater Bendigo Deputy Mayor Cr Rod Fyffe said the official opening of the grandstand is the final piece of what has been a major sporting infrastructure project for the region.
“The redevelopment has without doubt cemented Bendigo’s place as a key destination for regional, national and international tournaments,” Cr Fyffe said.
“With a total of 26 courts and a 400 seat grandstand Bendigo now boasts the best tennis centre in regional Australia and these events are important to promote our region and generate significant economic activity.
“The project is helping the centre continue to attract major international tournaments featuring the up and coming stars of tomorrow as well as providing a fantastic, high quality facility for local players. The centre hosts over 70,000 visits every year.
“It’s great to have tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley here to help celebrate this important occasion.”
The $6.175M project includes $2.09M in funding from the Australian Government, $2.4M from the Victorian Government, $1.085M from the City of Greater Bendigo and $600,000 from Bendigo Tennis Association and Tennis Australia.
