The Binalong Tennis Club officially reopened their newly resurfaced courts over the weekend alongside Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman.

The club received grant funding through the State Government for over $80,000 to fix the dilapidated courts, which had been unusable for the last three years and deteriorating for the last seven years.

Binalong Progress Association President and Tennis Club Treasurer Libby Elliot said the group applied for the grant in mid-2021 and received confirmation in November.

Resurfacing began in January and was at last completed in March.

The courts can now be used for both tennis and netball.

The posts that support the tennis net can be removed when the court is being prepped for netball practices and games.

The new court base is a similar synthetic grass base, which has brightened up the space. MP Wendy Tuckerman said she was pleased to attend the official opening of Binalong’s tennis court playing surface, which was delivered by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

“I am so pleased that the NSW Government could contribute $87,090 towards to the project and bring the court resurfacing project to fruition.”

“Binalong is a wonderfully active community in sport and the village is particularly fortunate to have such a dedicated group of volunteers, always looking to enhance the offering of Binalong!”

There have already been a few keen players having a hit on the courts and about 40 people attended Saturday’s official opening. Libby expressed her excitement over the long-time coming face lift of the courts –

“They’re done, completed, playable!” She also thanked the community for their efforts in getting the project over the finish line.

“Thank you to all those who (a) sponsored the works and (b) to everyone who came along and helped.” “A lot of people donated money to help pay for it all,” she said.

“So that’s been great, it’s been fantastic.”

About $15,000 was raised by the community in addition to the government grant. Hopefully the courts will be used by locals and visitors alike with the oval nearby where many caravaners make a pit stop.

Brianna O’Rourke