Wooroolin tennis courts to be restored

Good news for tennis players at Wooroolin as the South Burnett Regional Council green lights the restoration and planned reopening of the old courts.

The South Burnett Regional Council approved a 10-year lease for the Wooroolin Community Committee Inc., allowing them to seek funding to restore and reopen the neglected Wooroolin tennis facility.

The South Burnett Regional Council has approved a 10-year lease for the Wooroolin Community Committee so that they can apply for funding to restore and reopen the run down tennis courts.

The decision at the July council meeting will allow the committee to apply for grant funding necessary for extensive capital improvements, aiming to reopen the facility for community use.

The Wooroolin Community Committee Inc., which manages the Wooroolin Community Hall and sports grounds, requested to lease the grounds at 23 Alexander Street from the council.

The council’s approval allows the committee to seek the landowners’ consent required for grant applications.

The South Burnett Regional Council approved a 10-year lease for the Wooroolin Community Committee Inc., allowing them to seek funding to restore and reopen the neglected Wooroolin tennis facility.

The South Burnett Regional Council approved a 10-year lease for the Wooroolin Community Committee Inc., allowing them to seek funding to restore and reopen the neglected Wooroolin tennis facility.

The grant funding will be central for the redevelopment of the deteriorated tennis courts, which have been in disrepair since the previous lease was returned to the council in 2016.

The redevelopment plans of the Wooroolin Tennis Facility includes resealing and resurfacing the tennis courts, repairing the fencing, enhancing the clubhouse and upgrading the lighting and power connection for night games.

The tennis courts, which were previously leased to the committee (formerly the Wooroolin Sporting Club) from November 1996, have fallen into an unsafe and unusable condition.

Photos included in the request show courts with significant cracks and a damaged basketball hoop, highlighting the need for restoration.

The South Burnett Regional Council approved a 10-year lease for the Wooroolin Community Committee Inc., allowing them to seek funding to restore and reopen the neglected Wooroolin tennis facility.

The South Burnett Regional Council approved a 10-year lease for the Wooroolin Community Committee Inc., allowing them to seek funding to restore and reopen the neglected Wooroolin tennis facility.

During the council meeting, councillor Jane Erkens expressed concerns about the committee’s ability to maintain the facility, citing past leases where no repairs or maintenance were carried out.

She questioned whether the lease could be terminated if the necessary improvements were not made.

Acting general manager for liveability, Leanne Petersen, said the lease included terms and conditions that allowed for cancellation if the group failed to meet its commitments.

Ms Petersen said the committee had shown dedication to restoring the courts and was actively working through funding guidelines and obtaining quotes to repair the courts incrementally.

“They are committed to moving forward,” Ms Petersen said.

“They have been working through funding guidelines and quotations to fix one court at a time.”

While acknowledging the risk that the group might not secure the grants required for the repairs, Ms Petersen said the council would collaborate closely with the committee.

Originally published as Wooroolin tennis courts to be restored