St Patricks Murrumbeena Tennis Club

On Friday 9th February 2024 we received notification from the Church that the property and infrastructure department of the Archdiocese has directed the Church to close the St Patricks tennis courts and clubhouse, with immediate effect, until such time that the light poles are repaired.  On Tuesday 13th February 2024 during a severe storm another light pole and neighbouring fences were damaged.

The St Patricks tennis club committee arranged to proceed with fence repairs by mid to late March 2024 and lighting repairs by early April 2024.  The fences were repaired as planned however the Church requested a new lease agreement be established before the court lights can be repaired. 

Work commenced on establishing a lease agreement however after a full year of negotiation with the Church the St Patricks Tennis Club Committee reached the very difficult but unanimous decision in May 2025 that the Tennis Club could no longer operate given they could not guarantee the financial viability of the Club under the proposed license agreement.

Timeline

09/02/2024 - Courts and clubhouse closed as directed by the property and infrastructure department of the Archdiocese
11/02/2024 - Committee meeting held to discuss next steps
13/02/2024 - Light pole between courts 1 and 2 begins to lean after huge storm and neighbouring fences damaged
15/02/2024 - Light pole between courts 1 and 2 is made safe by a lighting pole contractor
20/02/2024 - Meeting held with the property and infrastructure department of the Archdiocese and Ken Sanders, President
25/02/2024 - Committee agree to fund and proceed with fence repairs by mid to late March and lighting repairs by early April
15/03/2024 - Fences repaired after storm damage
11/04/2024 - The Church requires a new lease agreement be established before work commences on repairing lights
18/04/2024 - Committee meeting held.  New President and Vice President appointed to work on lease agreement
May 2024 to April 2025 - Negotiation with Church on new lease agreement
15/05/2025 - Committee meeting held.  Unanimous decision taken that the Tennis Club could no longer operate given they could not guarantee the financial viability of the Club under the proposed license agreement.
June 2025 - Commenced activities to formally close down the club from a financial and administration perspective.