Revamp to tennis clubroom likely

By Sarah Schwager
RENOVATIONS at Cranbourne South Tennis Club look likely to go ahead after a Casey council report showed an upgrade of the clubroom was sorely needed.
The Morning Mist Reserve club was reported in the News in September after it said it was losing players because of the state of the clubroom.
Club secretary Lynette Keleher said the building was small, outdated and infested with cockroaches and rats.
“Everything but the bricks needs replacing,” Ms Keleher said.
“There is also the possibility that there’s asbestos in the building.”
The club made a submission to a council meeting on 6 December under the 2006/07 Sport and Recreation Victoria Community Facilities Funding (SRVCFF) program, at which council resolved to endorse the proposal.
The report was also submitted, and at its 20 December meeting, council decided to take the report into consideration.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said even if the $50,000 grant for the upgrade under the SRVCFF program was unsuccessful, he would be factoring it into the council’s budget.
“It’s definitely needed,” Cr Butler said. “It’s like a third world down there.”
The upgrade, which would include accessible amenities and additional storage, is expected to cost $149,500.
Cr Butler and council officers met with club representatives on 30 September to conduct the report.
The report found that the 20-year-old building, which consists of an open kitchen and clubroom area, toilets, showers and storage, was dilapidated, with aging decor and a number of areas damp and mouldy.
According to the club, a number of visitors had commented negatively about the clubroom conditions and potential new members had joined neighbouring clubs because of their superior facilities.
The report said an upgrade would make the club’s facility comparable to other tennis clubs in the area and help the club attract and retain new members.
Ms Keleher said the reserve was “very beautiful” and the tennis courts were in good condition, but the state of the clubroom turned people away.
She said council officers had indicated the extensions to the building would make it twice its size, with the clubhouse becoming the meeting room, and separate amenities provided.