FEDERAL Labor has promised the final $2 million needed to guarantee the redevelopment of the Bendigo Tennis Centre.
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Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters and Shadow Sport Minister Jim Chalmers made the announcement during a visit to the Nolan Street complex on Sunday.
The funding will combine with contributions from Tennis Australia, the Bendigo Tennis Association, the City of Greater Bendigo and the state government to guarantee the $7 million project.
The redevelopment includes a new show court and multi-purpose function centre, along with works on the car park and surrounding landscaping.
The Bendigo Tennis Association believes the project will help keep the centre at the “forefront of playing venues in Australia”.
Ms Chesters said the upgrade will boost Bendigo’s ability to attract top tennis tournaments.
“This project will modernise and enhance both playing and spectator facilities to make it one of the premier tennis tournament venues in the nation,” she said.
“Bringing those extra visitors and competitors to Bendigo has huge economic benefits for our local businesses and adds another popular tourism option for the city.”
The project appeared close to fully funded after the former Coalition state government contributed $2.4 million during the 2014 election campaign.
But in 2013, the Federal Coalition Government failed to fund the $5.2 million previously earmarked by federal Labor, meaning the association needed to start a fundraising campaign.
Ms Chesters said the outcome was a testament to the hard work of those in Bendigo’s tennis community.
“Bendigo Tennis Association has never stopped fighting for this project,” she said.
The City of Greater Bendigo welcomed the funding.
Mayor Rod Fyffe said it was time to upgrade the centre.
“This facility has served our community and the wider region well but it has great potential to be redeveloped into a national and international event-ready complex,” he said.
“The Bendigo Tennis Centre is also regionally significant and the redevelopment will provide aspiring tennis champions with access to wonderful new facilities.”