Tennis clubs complete merger – Bayside News

THE Frankston Centenary Tennis Club has moved into its new $4.2 million home.

The club is an amalgamation of the Frankston Tennis Club and Frankston East Tennis Club. The merged club has moved into Centenary Park, which is now home to 13 fully upgraded hard surface courts.

Frankston Tennis Club had been running for around 130 years. The club was based out of Yuille Street next to Frankston Hospital, but had to move after the state government purchased the land in 2017 to accommodate for the expansion of the hospital.

Plans were initially drawn up for a $30 million renovation of Centenary Park, but a failure to secure more funding meant that the upgrade ended up costing just over $4 million.

Frankston Centenary Tennis Club President John McGillivray said the merge of the two tennis clubs “is now complete and has been a smooth and amicable process.”

“The new plexi-cushion courts have been a success, with all players being impressed by the surface. The lighting of those courts is first class. The renovation and modernisation of the clubhouse is complete and has been well received by both members and visitors,” he said.

“Membership is steadily growing and several tournaments have been booked to take place at the new modern venue. Planning with Frankston City Council for the completion of landscaping is well underway and should be completed within the coming months. Special thanks to Frankston City Council and their recreation team for their involvement and assistance during the very important and challenging period of redeveloping the venue.”

The redeveloped pavilion also features a social space, kitchen, storage and cool room, shower and toilet facilities, and a meeting room.

Frankston Council allocated $1.15 million to the project. The state government put in $3 million, Frankston East Tennis Club and Frankston Tennis Club made a joint contribution of $35,000, and Tennis Australia paid $50,000. 

First published in the Frankston Times – 30 November 2021