Residents fight to keep McConnell Reserve tennis courts as part of Marion Council review of courts across the district
SOUTHWESTERN residents are battling to save the tennis courts they say provide the perfect playground for families across their neighbourhood.
MARINO residents are battling to save the tennis courts they say provide the perfect playground for families across their neighbourhood.
Marion Council is considering carving up the two tennis courts at McConnell Reserve, prompting 190 people to petition against the move.
The changes are part of an investigation into the future of 86 tennis courts and 12 netball courts across the district.
Head petitioner Travis Smith said the McConnell Ave park was close to the hearts of many in the community, serving as an ideal place to play tennis and teach children how to ride their bikes safely.
“My kids would be out there five or six times a week,” he said.
“It’s amazing up there – you can see all the way up the gulf towards the city.
“There was one lady who has recovered from cancer and she said she just enjoys going there at night and gazing up at the stars.”
Mr Smith said a council letter to residents suggested they could instead use Seacliff Tennis Club’s courts on Kauri Pde, in neighbouring Holdfast Bay Council territory.
“But because Marino is so hilly, having something on top of a hill is just really handy, especially with young children,” he said.
The council wants to reduce its maintenance fees by removing lesser-used courts, and injecting that money into the more popular ones or converting them into netball courts.
In addition to the McConnell Reserve project, staff have proposed removing courts at: Nannigai Drive, Hallett Cove; Roy Lander Reserve, Seaview Downs; Hamilton Park Reserve, Warradale; and Yanyarrie Ave Reserve, Edwardstown.
The proposal includes removing six courts at Glandore Oval and replacing them with two multipurpose courts. The council is also looking at removing four courts at Mitchell Park Sports and Community Club as part of plans to revamp the centre.
Jervois Tce resident Beryl Hall said McConnell Reserve courts attracted young people from across the district because “it’s the only flat space” in the area.
“On New Year’s Eve, half the street walks up to the tennis courts to watch the fireworks – there were about 50 people there this year,” Ms Hall said.
Sharyn Faulkner said the council should retain the courts to help encourage families to stay active.
“I’ve got friends who all live locally and ... instead of going to somebody’s house, we just meet at the tennis courts for a get together,” she said.
“The kids can play tennis and we can just sit under the veranda and have a chat.”
Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said the council had more tennis courts than it needed to cater for all residents, but not enough netball courts.
“If we’re saving money looking after some of those courts that aren’t being used a lot, we’ll have more money available to provide netball courts in areas where there aren’t any,” he said.
The council is expected to consider the issue again at its February 28 meeting.
What do you think of Marion Council’s review of its tennis courts across the district? Leave your comment below.