Located in Treloar Park, the club will not only take on a new look inside and out, but also a new name, with WEG chief Rod Laing confirming that the venue will be known as The Courts @ East.

The group held its first neighbours meeting on Saturday morning to hear any local ideas or concerns, as well as share their vision for the future of the club; with over 40 people attending.

On the outside, patrons and players will both be winners, with a third court due to be re-surfaced in the next few weeks, while down the line a show court with tiered seating is also set to go ahead, as well as a covered outdoor viewing area for spectators to have a meal and drink while watching the action.

Another court is set to be relocated to make way for a courtyard area, while some Hot Shot sized courts are also on the cards.

“We met with Curtin Architects in December and they were engaged to go ahead with the plans for both inside and outside last Wednesday,” Mr Laing said.

Inside, the club will see major changes as the bar is moved to the Napier St side of the existing building, with plans for a balcony overlooking the city, as well as improved handicap and elderly access.

An all-day, seven-day a week cafe and bistro will also be built in the middle section of the venue where the hall currently is, although until then WEG will be installing a mobile kitchen next to the building that will service the club with meals on Friday and Saturday nights, and possibly Sunday lunches.

“The facilities are old and in need of repair so in the short term we will be sorting out compliance issues first,” Mr Laing said.

“The architects should come back to us within three or four weeks with the plans and as soon as the board passes them we are right to go ahead, lodge the DA and get the ball rolling.” 

One issue that was raised at the meeting was the state of the silky oak trees around the park.

“We are having them assessed and will replace them if necessary,” Mr Laing said.