Gungahlin Tennis Facility development application submitted

A multimillion-dollar tennis facility home to 10 courts and a pavilion with the capacity to host international tournaments has moved a step closer to completion.

The Gungahlin Tennis Facility in Amaroo has continued onto its next phase with plans submitted for the block where it will be established. Picture: ACT Government

The next stages of a multimillion-dollar tennis facility in Gungahlin have begun with plans submitted for a lush piece of acreage in Amaroo.

Planit Strategic submitted plans in late February to develop the block at the Amaroo District Playing Fields along Horse Park Dr.

The block will be home to a $10.334m mega tennis centre once completed, which will include 10 courts, two hot shots courts, a hitting wall, a pavilion, LED flood lighting and parking.

Application documents state the facility would be available for community use including coaching, social hits and league programs.

Documents state the centre would be used for tournaments requiring International Tennis Federation standard courts.

The proposed courts in Gungahlin. Picture: ACT Government

For this to begin, the ACT Government has submitted an initial development application for the block which centres around utility services, vehicle access and zone finalisations for the area.

Once this has been approved, a second application with designs will be submitted.

A review conducted by the territory’s tennis association identified Gungahlin as a “priority” for new tennis facilities to accommodate the growing love for the sport.

Artist impression of the facilities. Picture: ACT Government

Community consultation documents say the centre was positively supported, however some residents raised issues.

Some included the potential impact of noise and light spill from the LED lights, the increased traffic once the centre opens as well as the public questioning the proposed tennis court surface being either hard or synthetic grass.

An ACT Government spokeswoman said procurement for a consultant to undertake design and provide contract administrative services had begun.

The next step for the $10m centre will be for the block development application to be approved. Picture: Cardno

“Throughout 2023, the detailed design will be prepared with construction scheduled to commence in late 2023,” she said.

In an endorsement letter in mid 2022, ACT Government Sport and Recreation’s Nathan Greif said the rise of Australian stars such as Nick Kyrgios and Ash Barty led to an increase in tennis participation in the ACT.

Mr Greif said this centre would begin to address the “significant under supply” of courts in the ACT and hoped it would move the territory towards a target court to population ratio of 1:2000.

“It will also represent a key support facility behind the Canberra Tennis Centre for major events with the proposed international standard courts,” Mr Greif said in the letter.

The project will be in partnership with the government, Tennis Australia and Tennis ACT, who will operate and maintain the facilities once completed.

The period for representation closes on March 27.