Council serves $1m for tennis

One of the country’s best tennis facilities is set to get public funding for a multimillion-dollar revamp.

The Wellington Renouf Tennis Centre, which hosts national and international tournaments, needs $6.8 million worth of renewal work to remain viable.

Wellington City Council’s grants subcommittee yesterday voted to approve $1m in funding over five years to Wellington Tennis, which owns the assets.

The majority of the buildings at the Brooklyn Rd facility were built in the 1980s but the site has accommodated tennis for more than 70 years. A $22,000 council-funded condition survey and maintenance plan found renewal works were needed over the next 15 years, with $3.09m required over the next two years.

During the meeting, councillors were told to expect the centre would return to the table asking for future funding.

Wellington Tennis and Tennis Central Region did not have the financial resources for the necessary capital renewal works. Tennis Central had $834,787 and Wellington Tennis plans to seek $90,000 per annum from various gaming trusts to assist with the project.

The $1m council funding would assist in addressing facility issues and improve the ongoing sustainability of the centre.

Tennis Central Region and Renouf Tennis Centre chief executive Tim Shannahan told the committee the socio-economic makeup of its membership meant that, for a long time, it was self-sufficient, however that was no longer the case.

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester said the centre had his personal support.