Cessnock locals are set to benefit from more than $135,000 in funding for an upgrade to the local tennis courts.
Cessnock Tennis Club has received the funding from the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program to upgrade four tennis courts to multi-sport courts.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Catherine Cusack said the funding will help the 102 year old club to continue supporting the community and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and bushfires.
“The upgrade of four courts to multisport courts will mean offering a wider range of sporting activities and venue use, helping to secure an overall stronger financial position for the club through increased membership and participation,” she said.
“The new multisport courts will also support collaboration with other local sporting and community organisations by offering wet weather/off-season training alternatives for sports such as soccer and football.”
Cessnock Tennis Club President Max Carter welcomed the funding and said the upgraded spaces would increase Club membership, tennis programs and overall participation.
“We are truly excited to be expanding operations at the club that will in turn inject a new enthusiasm into everything we offer,” Mr Carter said.
“The increased participation will secure our financial sustainability and enable the club to implement future upgrades and developments.”
Club Manager Sonia Close echoed Mr Carter’s thoughts and added the funding will increase participation and create up 15 new employment opportunities.
“The true indication that this is a project the community is excited about is the contact from local schools looking to add new programs into their school sports curriculum,” she said.
The Infrastructure Grants program is made possible by Clubgrants Category 3, a fund which re-invests profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects.
Since 2015, the NSW Government has funded more than 350 community projects worth $62 million under the Infrastructure Grants program.
Applications for the next round of funding open from Monday 21 September.
For more information or to apply, visit the Office of Responsible Gambling website.
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