GOULBURN Tennis Club president Richard Hailston had the pleasure of officially opening upgraded courts 9 and 10 at the Bishop Street Tennis Centre on Sunday.

The courts have been converted to synthetic grass and are the last in the centre’s structure to be resurfaced from sand (granite).

The cost of this project was in excess of $66,000. The club successfully applied to the Veolia Mulwaree Trust for financial assistance late in 2010 and received approximately one third of the project cost with the contribution of $24,000.

The club provided the remaining funds and the project was awarded to All Grass Sport Surfaces, a company with managing director Mark Edmonson, a former tennis great.

“The project was scheduled to begin in November 2010 but we got off to a late start due to the heavy rain experienced in Goulburn,” Mr Hailston told a gathering on Sunday.

“We then had further delays early in 2011 again due to unfavourable weather so we are glad the work is complete.

“The Goulburn community now has a great complex with good surfaces that no longer require rolling, watering and marking.

“The courts are now available for competitions, coaching and social matches for members and anyone wishing to hire them.” Schools can now fully utilise the entire 10 courts for sport and the club can apply to Tennis NSW for hosting sanctioned tournaments.

The contribution from the Veolia Mulwaree Trust was significant and this project really showcases the valuable assistance the trust scheme is giving the surrounding community.

To celebrate the completion the club held an official opening on Sunday, with members of the trust committee present. The centre also hosted an open day for the general public and members were invited to come along and enjoy the great facilities.

Free coaching, a round robin competition and the speed serve camera were in action for those wanting to emulate the pros. Social tennis every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12noon at $2 a player will remain in full swing.

All skill levels and ages are catered for in our many competitions and we are always on the look out for the next Samantha Stosur or Lleyton Hewitt. For enquiries regarding competitions phone Richard Hailston on 4821 4078 or coaching phone Michael Gerstenberg on 0404 603 228.