$82 MILLION STATE TENNIS CENTRE SHAPING UP TO BE A SMASH HIT: SPENCE
Published Thursday, 25 October, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Brisbane’s much-anticipated return to the international tennis circuit is drawing closer with work on the new $82 million State Tennis Centre at Tennyson progressing well.
Sport Minister Judy Spence today inspected progress of construction work at the centre, which is due to be completed by the end of 2008, in time to host the Australian Hardcourt Championships in January 2009.
“This new centre is going to put Brisbane back on the map in the international tennis world,” Ms Spence said.
“The Australian Hardcourt Championships will be the first international tour event held in Brisbane since a young Lindsay Davenport won the Australian Women’s Hardcourt title at the old Milton courts in 1994.
“Aside from that tournament, the last major tennis event held in Brisbane was a Davis Cup tie back in 2000.
“The time is right for professional tennis to come back to Brisbane and I’m very pleased that the State Government and Mirvac have been able to team up to deliver what will be a state-of-the-art facility for the people of Queensland, which will host tennis greats from around the globe.”
Ms Spence said the centre court stadium was now taking shape, while work on the outside show courts and match courts would start in December this year.
“This will be a world-class venue suitable for hosting international, national and state-level tennis tournaments,” Ms Spence said.
“It will feature an international-standard roofed centre court with 5,500 permanent seats and associated corporate facilities, as well as two show courts seating 1,500 spectators and 20 match and training courts.
“The centre will also feature administrative and commercial facilities, including Tennis Queensland’s new headquarters, a pro shop, cafe, change rooms and function rooms.
“This will be complemented by Mirvac’s associated development which includes more than 390 residential apartments, a gymnasium and parkland that will provide public access to a scenic stretch of the Brisbane River.”
Ms Spence said the centre would be a great benefit to the State’s elite and aspiring tennis players, who will soon be able to hone their skills on all three Grand Slam court surfaces – grass, clay and hard courts.
“The new State Tennis Centre will be the focal point for the sport in Queensland and is the first purpose-built state tennis facility featuring all Grand Slam court surfaces, including grass and clay,” Ms Spence said.
“This is a significant boost for our rising elite players, who compete against many well-rounded clay court experts from Europe and South America in international tournaments, despite having very little access to clay courts at home in Australia.
“The centre will also feature the new Plexicushion court surface, which will be the official Australian Open surface at Melbourne Park starting next year.
“This can only help our young players as they strive to continue the great tradition of champion Australian tennis players.”
Ms Spence said delivery of the State Tennis Centre was further proof of the Government’s commitment to improving opportunities for sport and active recreation for Queenslanders.
“Aside from funding this $82 Million facility, this government has spent more than $11 Million on supporting and developing the sport of tennis in Queensland over the past 10 years,” Ms Spence said.
“While the centre will be an invaluable resource for elite players, it is also great news for grassroots tennis, with the courts available for public hire throughout the year.
“Centres like this play a vital role in providing the community with enhanced sport and recreation opportunities and we are delighted to be able to provide this facility for the benefit of all Queensland tennis players and fans.”
For more information on the State Tennis Centre visit the Sport and Recreation website www.sportrec.qld.gov.au.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287
Sport Minister Judy Spence today inspected progress of construction work at the centre, which is due to be completed by the end of 2008, in time to host the Australian Hardcourt Championships in January 2009.
“This new centre is going to put Brisbane back on the map in the international tennis world,” Ms Spence said.
“The Australian Hardcourt Championships will be the first international tour event held in Brisbane since a young Lindsay Davenport won the Australian Women’s Hardcourt title at the old Milton courts in 1994.
“Aside from that tournament, the last major tennis event held in Brisbane was a Davis Cup tie back in 2000.
“The time is right for professional tennis to come back to Brisbane and I’m very pleased that the State Government and Mirvac have been able to team up to deliver what will be a state-of-the-art facility for the people of Queensland, which will host tennis greats from around the globe.”
Ms Spence said the centre court stadium was now taking shape, while work on the outside show courts and match courts would start in December this year.
“This will be a world-class venue suitable for hosting international, national and state-level tennis tournaments,” Ms Spence said.
“It will feature an international-standard roofed centre court with 5,500 permanent seats and associated corporate facilities, as well as two show courts seating 1,500 spectators and 20 match and training courts.
“The centre will also feature administrative and commercial facilities, including Tennis Queensland’s new headquarters, a pro shop, cafe, change rooms and function rooms.
“This will be complemented by Mirvac’s associated development which includes more than 390 residential apartments, a gymnasium and parkland that will provide public access to a scenic stretch of the Brisbane River.”
Ms Spence said the centre would be a great benefit to the State’s elite and aspiring tennis players, who will soon be able to hone their skills on all three Grand Slam court surfaces – grass, clay and hard courts.
“The new State Tennis Centre will be the focal point for the sport in Queensland and is the first purpose-built state tennis facility featuring all Grand Slam court surfaces, including grass and clay,” Ms Spence said.
“This is a significant boost for our rising elite players, who compete against many well-rounded clay court experts from Europe and South America in international tournaments, despite having very little access to clay courts at home in Australia.
“The centre will also feature the new Plexicushion court surface, which will be the official Australian Open surface at Melbourne Park starting next year.
“This can only help our young players as they strive to continue the great tradition of champion Australian tennis players.”
Ms Spence said delivery of the State Tennis Centre was further proof of the Government’s commitment to improving opportunities for sport and active recreation for Queenslanders.
“Aside from funding this $82 Million facility, this government has spent more than $11 Million on supporting and developing the sport of tennis in Queensland over the past 10 years,” Ms Spence said.
“While the centre will be an invaluable resource for elite players, it is also great news for grassroots tennis, with the courts available for public hire throughout the year.
“Centres like this play a vital role in providing the community with enhanced sport and recreation opportunities and we are delighted to be able to provide this facility for the benefit of all Queensland tennis players and fans.”
For more information on the State Tennis Centre visit the Sport and Recreation website www.sportrec.qld.gov.au.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287