The cold and windy weather wasn't enough to stop many vested interests (a member of the Bungendore Tennis Club, Board members of the Community Bank Bungendore, Rice Construction staff and local State MP, Steve Whan) from celebrating the start of the slab preparation phase of the replacement tennis clubhouse project right next to the kids playground. The moment was used to highlight the $80,000 contribution from the Community Bank Bungendore - this is on top of the $300,000 provided by the NSW Government, and a further $15,000 recently awarded to the Club by the Veolia Mulwaree Trust in a presentation held in Goulburn earlier this year.
This project is more than a tennis clubhouse re-build says Club President, Keith Bender, "What's so special about this project is that while it will deliver an eagerly awaited new clubhouse complete with toilet and change room space, it will also provide a comfortable and convenient space for not-for-profit sporting clubs and other groups to meet. In this way, the new facility will foster social capital building beyond the tennis community."
Palerang Financial Services Limited (Community Bank) Chairman Garry Cook said: "It was the meeting space aspect that really caught the Board's attention when considering the application for funding from the tennis club. The PFSL Board recognised that the community would stand to gain with a new venue for clubs to hold meetings or another place where parents and their bubs can meet. The Community Banks at Bungendore and Braidwood give around 74% of their annual profits to community projects such as the new tennis clubhouse/meeting space - and we do it because we know that projects like this have a significant positive effect on the community, while the construction phase will also have a multiplier effect when it comes to the local economy."
Local member Steve Whan said: "It's great to see the NSW Government's Clubgrants Category 3 Fund being a major funder to enable the final piece in the jig-saw puzzle at Bungendore Park Tennis Club to go ahead. I too am impressed by the multi-faceted nature of the new clubhouse facility. Other local sporting clubs seeking funding should look out for the next round of the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund due to open on 4 November 2024. For more info go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund"
Ben Norton, Construction Manager (ACT & Southern NSW) for RICE Construction Group, the firm building the new facility said: "We find projects like this very rewarding, especially in my hometown. They’re exciting for the community and we understand the importance of such infrastructure to the fabric of the community. We're looking forward to working closely with Eric Martin & Associates, the Club and the Council to build another quality facility for the Bungendore community hot on the heels of building the new pavilion at the Sports Hub. Projects like this make our job exciting, and we look forward to seeing the smiles of satisfied members and visitors of the local community Tennis Club.
Club President Keith advised that: "While the significant funds have been raised for the build, there is still further work to be done by the Club Committee to secure funding for the furniture and fit-out elements of the project, here we're talking about things like a heating and cooling unit, a baby change table, meeting table and chairs, outdoor furniture and window treatments."
We wish the club every success with this important community project.
For those people wondering if you can play tennis during the construction phase the short answer is Yes, you can still book your court online in the normal way - entry is via a temporary entry near Court 1 - unfortunately for now, night tennis is limited to Club and Coach organised group tennis programs during the construction phase. For further information go to https://play.tennis.com.au/bungendoreparktennisclub or email bungendoreparktennisclub@gmail.com