Get out your racquets: Beechwood Tennis Club is back in action.
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After being forced to put a halt to competitions, the club's secretary Tracey Eastwood says the future appears to be a bit brighter for the community-based sporting club.
The club decided to close the courts at its annual meeting until they could be repaired.
Ms Eastwood says the decision was not taken lightly.
"At the time, we felt that it was the only option," she said.
The club argued that with a growing residential area, the courts could again become a focal point for community activities and events.
And those prayers appear to have been answered with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council allocating $60,000 in its operational plan. The funds will be used to start work on upgrading the courts.
While welcoming the news, Ms Eastwood says the club still has some way to go.
"Beechwood Tennis Club was made aware of its inclusion in the council's coming operational plan," she said.
"Although we have a long way to go to get to the amount we need, we are now feeling very positive that our court repairs project will be completed this coming financial year."
Council says the funds will help bring the courts back to a playable standard.
Director Mellissa Watkins confirmed that council had allocated the funds.
Council has allocated $60,000 to the Beechwood Tennis Club courts within the 2019/20 operational plan that will go towards renewing the courts surface to a playable standard.
- Mellissa Watkins
"Council has allocated $60,000 to the Beechwood Tennis Club courts within the 2019/20 operational plan that will go towards renewing the courts surface to a playable standard," she said.
"Council will continue to work with the Beechwood Tennis Club on grant funding opportunities to gain the additional funds required to complete the resurfacing works."
Ms Eastwood said the tennis club was currently working through quotes for the work.
"The work could cost somewhere between $120,000 to $190,000.
"We are looking at upgrading the court surfaces, improving the lighting, new fencing and looking to include multi-sport opportunities. One idea being discussed is including handball courts or basketball rings.
"However, we just want to reopen the tennis courts again. After that we can stage the entire project over 18 months to two years."
Ms Eastwood says work on the courts could start early next year.
"It will be good for the Beechwood community to see that some action is being taken," she said.
"Beechwood is booming with residential developments all around the village centre."
The Beechwood Tennis Club boasts some 100 members.
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