Published Thursday, 25 January, 2007 at 01:16 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
QUEENSLAND TENNIS HITS A WINNER
Queensland is poised to reclaim its place as a premier destination for the international tennis circuit with today’s official start of construction of the $77 million State Tennis Centre.
Turning the first sod at the Tennyson site, Premier Peter Beattie said Queensland would soon compete with other states for major tournaments and the economic benefits that flowed from them.
“The State Tennis Centre will put Queensland on the international tennis map, with world-class facilities tempting major tournaments to the State,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will provide 23 international-standard courts, including three Grand Slam surfaces – grass, clay and acrylic.
“The centre court will seat up to 5,500 people – ideal for state, national and international standard tennis events.
Mr Beattie said the State Tennis Centre would be completed by the end of 2008, in time to host the inaugural Australian combined Men’s and Women’s Hardcourt Championships in January 2009.
“This tournament will be the first major international tennis tournament hosted in Queensland since the demise of the Milton tennis facility in 1999 and will again put Queensland on the international tennis map as a sports tourism destination,” Mr Beattie said.
“The centre will also become the headquarters for Tennis Queensland as well as the Queensland Academy of Sport’s tennis program, providing a tennis centre of excellence to develop our junior talent.”
Acting Sports Minister Judy Spence said the milestone start of construction was a winning shot for development of elite players, for community tennis and for tennis fans.
“At the moment Queensland has 21,900 registered tennis players and 243 affiliated clubs and a facility like this is sure to boost numbers further,” Ms Spence said.
“Increased interest in the sport will help the Beattie Government’s fight against obesity by encouraging more Queenslanders to get active and stay healthy.”
Mr Beattie said the development included transport infrastructure to make the site accessible by public transport.
“The Tennyson Riverside Development will also deliver major improvements to local infrastructure including an overhead walkway connecting the Tennis Centre to the Yeerongpilly Railway Station,” he said.
“It will open up public access to the Brisbane River from Tennyson to Yeerongpilly, with improvements such as pedestrian and bicycle pathways and the creation of open green space for recreation.
“So it won’t just be the next generation of Patrick Rafters and Samantha Stosurs who thrive on the facilities – the local community will also be a winner.”
The State Tennis Centre is being built by Mirvac and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Since 1998, the Beattie Government has provided more than $19 million in funding to support tennis programs and facilities in Queensland.
For more information, visit www.sportrec.qld.gov.au
25 JANUARY 2007
Media contact: Premier’s office (07) 3224 4500
Chris Taylor (07) 3227 8825 / 0419 710 874
Turning the first sod at the Tennyson site, Premier Peter Beattie said Queensland would soon compete with other states for major tournaments and the economic benefits that flowed from them.
“The State Tennis Centre will put Queensland on the international tennis map, with world-class facilities tempting major tournaments to the State,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will provide 23 international-standard courts, including three Grand Slam surfaces – grass, clay and acrylic.
“The centre court will seat up to 5,500 people – ideal for state, national and international standard tennis events.
Mr Beattie said the State Tennis Centre would be completed by the end of 2008, in time to host the inaugural Australian combined Men’s and Women’s Hardcourt Championships in January 2009.
“This tournament will be the first major international tennis tournament hosted in Queensland since the demise of the Milton tennis facility in 1999 and will again put Queensland on the international tennis map as a sports tourism destination,” Mr Beattie said.
“The centre will also become the headquarters for Tennis Queensland as well as the Queensland Academy of Sport’s tennis program, providing a tennis centre of excellence to develop our junior talent.”
Acting Sports Minister Judy Spence said the milestone start of construction was a winning shot for development of elite players, for community tennis and for tennis fans.
“At the moment Queensland has 21,900 registered tennis players and 243 affiliated clubs and a facility like this is sure to boost numbers further,” Ms Spence said.
“Increased interest in the sport will help the Beattie Government’s fight against obesity by encouraging more Queenslanders to get active and stay healthy.”
Mr Beattie said the development included transport infrastructure to make the site accessible by public transport.
“The Tennyson Riverside Development will also deliver major improvements to local infrastructure including an overhead walkway connecting the Tennis Centre to the Yeerongpilly Railway Station,” he said.
“It will open up public access to the Brisbane River from Tennyson to Yeerongpilly, with improvements such as pedestrian and bicycle pathways and the creation of open green space for recreation.
“So it won’t just be the next generation of Patrick Rafters and Samantha Stosurs who thrive on the facilities – the local community will also be a winner.”
The State Tennis Centre is being built by Mirvac and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Since 1998, the Beattie Government has provided more than $19 million in funding to support tennis programs and facilities in Queensland.
For more information, visit www.sportrec.qld.gov.au
25 JANUARY 2007
Media contact: Premier’s office (07) 3224 4500
Chris Taylor (07) 3227 8825 / 0419 710 874