Pretty upgrades

The Pretty Pine Recreation Reserve’s two tennis courts have received a $70,000 facelift ahead of the upcoming tennis season.

The funding was arranged at Edward River Council’s June meeting, when council agreed to provide up to $15,000 worth of work, in tandem with the Pretty Pine Hall and Recreation Reserve Committee.

The courts were laid with synthetic turf in September.

A large portion of the project was funded by a $50,000 Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, with another $15,000 reallocated from the Local Roads and Community Round One grant.

Pretty Pine committee member Daniel Liphuyzen said the courts would provide a valuable facility for Pretty Pine’s younger generation.

Before committing to supporting the project, Edward River Council requested a survey on the number of users of the courts, to determine whether the spend was proportionate to its community use.

However due to their condition, ‘‘the courts had not been used for some time’’, a spokesperson for council said.

‘‘The Pretty Pine Reserve Committee provided supporting information for the project, through the development of the original Local Roads and Community project, as well as when they requested additional funding for the second court,’’ the spokesperson said.

Mr Liphuyzen said due to the NSW Government’s rules banning community sport until the state is 80 per cent fully vaccinated, players were yet to have a hit on the new courts.

The committee plans to hold a grand opening and a community barbecue when COVID restrictions permit.

Council will also consider a request to contribute to verandah renewal at the adjacent caretaker’s cottage, which is registered as a council asset.

Mr Liphuyzen said the committee is also seeking funds to contribute to that project.

The tennis courts at Pretty Pine have been resurfaced.

The dirt tennis courts before the new turf was laid.