Nick Kyrgios at the 2020 ACT Labor announcement of a proposed community tennis facility at Gungahlin. Photo: Tennis ACT.
The ball is in play for a new tennis facility in Gungahlin with the awarding of a contract to come up with a preferred design for the 10 to 12 court complex that could produce the next Nick Kyrgios.
Cardno has been selected to undertake a design options assessment, including cost estimates, and prepare and submit an Estate Development Plan based on the preferred option for the facility, to which the ACT Government has committed $8 million, in partnership with Tennis Australia and Tennis ACT.
A feasibility study identified the site in Amaroo and draft plans for the facility were unveiled in 2020 before the ACT election, forming the basis of the requirements Cardno must adhere to.
As well as the full-sized acrylic hardcourt courts to International Tennis Federation standard, the facility will also have a community court with multiple lines for other sports, two Hot Shot or smaller courts for younger players, a hitting wall, three full-size Padel (about three-quarter size) courts, a clubhouse, floodlighting and parking.
Ideally, four to six full-size courts will have “blended lines” with markings for orange balls used for players aged eight to 10.
About 15 site shelters will provide protection against the weather and provision should be made for a future large shade structure covering at least two courts and at least one water refill station.
The centrally located single level clubhouse needs to be 400 square metres, with scope to be expanded to 600 square metres, including change rooms, offices, storage, kiosk, social space, multi-function space and a viewing veranda.
Site of the new tennis centre in Gungahlin in Amaroo. Image: ACT Government
The facility will have walkways between the main building, courts and car parks, and landscaping must include trees, shrubs and garden beds that will have a minimal impact but also provide windbreaks for the courts.
The design must also minimise the impact on surrounding residents, including from noise, light spill, and headlights from vehicles entering and leaving the site.
The awarding of the contract for the next phase of the project will be welcomed by the Gungahlin community, which has been clamouring for more sporting and recreational facilities in the growing outer northern suburbs of Canberra, with tennis high on the list.
Surveys point to overwhelming support for a new tennis facility
More than 5000 children participate in tennis in the Gungahlin region through schools, but they have no community club.
Overall there are about 32,000 tennis players in the ACT.
The government enlisted Nick Kyrgios when it announced the commitment in 2020.
“I always had Lyneham [tennis courts] growing up; I’m excited to see a new facility,” he said at the time.
In 2020, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the facility would be three years in the making, with construction taking 18 months once a development application is approved.
According to the contract schedule, approval of an EDP could be expected by about the middle of the year.
The contract is worth $247,242.70.
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