Old Bar is set for a surge in participation in tennis after $121,384 was granted from the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Nationals Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead, said the Round Four funding is for an LED Lighting upgrade which will transform tennis in Old Bar.
“The current lights make the courts almost unplayable in the evenings. Once the new lights are installed many more people will be able to take advantage of the high-quality courts in Old Bar by playing after work and school” Mr Bromhead said.
“This upgrade will help to attract regional events to Old Bar which will boost the local economy and community which has been hit by drought, bushfire, floods, and now COVID.”
The funding for Old Bar Tennis club is in addition to a funding boost for Old Bar Cricket club, with more than $3 million dollars from the Stronger Country Communities Fund going to sporting and community groups in the Myall Lakes.
“We know Old Bar is booming and with many families moving to the area sports clubs are seeing a boost in participation and need the facilities to support this growth now and into the future” Mr Bromhead said.
Old Bar Tennis Club president Richard Ellison said the Stronger Country Communities Funding will allow them to continue to grow the club which currently has more than 150 members.
“We offer many programs such as professional coaching, cardio tennis, female and junior tennis activities, regular social tennis events and our Annual Club Championship,” Mr Ellison said.
“However, these are restricted to being mostly daytime activities as our lighting is so poor, which also restricts us in attracting Regional NSW competitive events.
“This funding and the installation of the latest innovation in LED lights will be a game changer and the future-proof design will enable safe play at night, meeting and exceeding Australian standards and increasing accessibility, inclusion and participation.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said 435 projects across every single one of the State’s 93 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs) would receive funding.
“The Stronger Country Communities Fund delivers guaranteed investment in every single regional LGA in NSW, and has seen $500 million invested across more than 1900 local projects since 2017,” Mr Toole said.
The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, which alongside the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund is delivering infrastructure and programs that generate opportunities, investment and jobs.
For more information, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/SCCF.
