Work is set to begin on the Tamworth Tennis Club "within weeks" following the announcement of a $1.4 million federal grant on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The grant, announced by Barnaby Joyce, is part of Building Better Regions Fund and will be used to upgrade nine of the 13 courts to 'championship standard acrylic hardcourts', as well as install new lighting, fencing, amenities and tiered seating for a showcourt.
The cost of the project has been estimated at $2.8 million, with owners Wests Entertainment Group providing $1 million and Tennis NSW and Tennis Australia $200,000 each according to WEG CEO Rod Laing.
Read more:
"It was fantastic to get that news on Friday - it has been a long road to get that funding," Mr Laing said.
"Tennis NSW and Tennis Australia have identified Tamworth as a regional tennis hub and have partnered with us."
After taking ownership of the facility in late 2016 WEG have already refurbished four sand courts, and have also re-branded the clubhouse as the Courts @ East.
This grant will also mean that planned works to completely renovate and revolutionise the ageing clubhouse can also go ahead, although only after the outside works are complete.
"We have still got a few balls up in the air with the plans for the clubhouse redevelopment," Mr Laing said.
"We have had the plans drawn up for a while and are just sitting on them while we get everything in place and then we will put them before the board."
The redevelopment will include an all day cafe, training and conference rooms, as well as the possibility of moving the bar to the southern end of the club overlooking the city.
"Tennis NSW are hoping to deliver the events that have been taken from the region, as well as national and even international events," Mr Laing said.
Both WEG and Tamworth council are waiting on the grant 'terms of reference' to be delivered before work can begin, with that document expected to land within days, and work to begin within weeks.