The tennis and netball courts at Briagolong Recreation Reserve will be completely rebuilt in a $571,000 project.

Contributions from Wellington Shire Council ($281,000), State Government ($250,000) and the Briagolong Tennis Club (40,000) will bring the project to fruition.

Briagolong Tennis Club committee member, Gerard Condon said he was pleased the tennis courts would be brought up to scratch in a development that would also see a new netball playing surface.

“As we see every time, we get some rain, there are many low spots in what is generally an uneven surface and we also have roots from trees now impacting on the surface, so we will move the footprint of the new courts to remedy that,” he said.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull said participation in junior sport brought many benefits.

“It puts kids around good role models, teaches them about winning humbly and losing graciously and really is a great crash course in life.

“In sport not everything goes your way and that is the case with life in general, so the benefits to our youth are enormous, as is the social element for both juniors and seniors,” he said.

Wellington Shire Mayor, Garry Stephens said “Council is thrilled to partner with the State Government and the Briagolong Tennis Club to upgrade the tired tennis courts at Briagolong.

“We recently completed a redevelopment of the club rooms at the recreation reserve and the new tennis courts will complement that project, especially since so many children and adults in Briagolong seem to love their tennis,” Cr Stephens said.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull with Gerard Condon on the courts, which has low spots on the uneven surface that fill with water every time it rains, impacting on participation.

Monday, 5 July 2021