Prospect Tennis Club plans to host practice matches for the Adelaide International Tennis Tournament

An inner-city tennis club is set for an overhaul which could see it host practice matches ahead of international tournaments – but demolish its existing courts.

Prospect Tennis Club coach Theadora Kotsiou with student Maiya Jakupec in 2016. Picture by Matt Turner.

Prospect Tennis Club’s courts are at the “end of their useful life” will need a $900,000 upgrade to host practice matches ahead of the Adelaide International Tennis Tournament.

The club has released plans to demolish its existing eight courts and perimeter fencing and establish new courts, nets, fencing and lighting.

The courts are currently not at Tennis Australia standards and are “marred by pitting, cracking and delamination”, a report tabled with Prospect Council revealed.

They are also impacted by water pooling after heavy downpours, have rusted net posts and its perimeter fencing and gates are in “poor condition”.

Works would also increase the run-off areas to the rear and side of the courts by up to 1.5m.

A Tennis SA audit in 2019 identified a number of issues and recommended resurfacing of the “end of their useful life” courts, the report stated.

The club’s courts were found to pool after heavy downfalls. Picture: Prospect Tennis Club

The new courts would last up to 25 years and comply with national standards, increasing player and patron safety while creating “the potential for use as Adelaide International practice courts”.

The council has allocated $450,000 in its annual budget to the project while the club has applied for a $450,000 state government grant.

Meanwhile, the club has also considered a potential expansion to include an additional court, which could have “potential impacts on the adjacent RSL memorial”.

However, council staff say the preferred development option would not include an additional court or “relocation of the memorials”.

“(A basic upgrade) would bring the courts up to current playing standards and serve the needs of the club for decades to come,” it stated.

Elected members will consider the latest proposal from the club on Tuesday night.

Club events co-ordinator Caitlin Davies said it was “an extremely exciting prospect” to host tournament practice matches.

“As a club we are anticipating … (the) court upgrades to bring a sense of excitement throughout the Prospect community and surrounding sporting facilities,” she said.

“Having the opportunity to hold practise matches would create excitement and anticipation, not only for those already involved in the club, but the broader community and those who may not have the opportunity to attend the tournament itself.”

She also said new facilities would help senior and junior membership numbers to increase “significantly”.

“We offer social memberships also which we expect to double in numbers as social members will enjoy the ability to play on courts that are in an immaculate condition rather than what we currently have,” she said.