It’s game on for local tennis on the Bellarine with recent upgrades at the popular Leopold and Barwon Heads Tennis Clubs now complete, backed by the Victorian Government.
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant today joined club representatives to officially open new tennis facilities at Leopold Recreation Reserve and Barwon Heads Village Park, made possible by a more than $1.27 million Victorian Government investment.
In Leopold, local tennis now has a new fit for purpose pavilion to call home. It features two female friendly change rooms, a kitchen, social space, storage, accessible public amenities, and a covered deck with viewing area.
The building provides a great new base for local tennis to stage more development and training programs including junior Hotshots Tennis as well as tournaments.
Upgrades at the Barwon Heads Tennis Club have delivered a new synthetic grass surface on courts five and six, installation of competition standard 350 lux LED sports lighting, as well as minor renovations to the windows and doors of the club’s pavilion.
The new features will help support further growth of tennis programs, local competition and casual play at Barwon Heads Village Park.
The Victorian Government has invested more than $2.3 billion in community sport and active recreation infrastructure over the past decade.
The Victorian Budget 2024/25 is also providing more than $23 million to continue delivery of community sport and active recreation infrastructure, and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility. This includes continuing the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund so more Victorians can participate.
From play space redevelopments to pavilion upgrades, investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.
Alison Marchant MP acknowledged Greater Geelong City Council for its more than $341,630 contribution towards the pavilion at Leopold Recreation Reserve.
For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit sport.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“Sports like tennis are an integral part of community life and we’re proud to invest in projects that get even more people active and on the court.”
“The new pavilion and courts are a game-changer for local tennis. And with more women and girls signing up to play, the clubs no longer have to turn away players due to limited facilities.”
“These upgrades are exactly what the Leopold and Barwon Heads tennis communities have been waiting for, and I can’t wait to see the impact they will have on our local tennis scene.”
