THE Bridgetown Lawn Tennis (BLT) club's long awaited first class makeover may not happen.
In October last year it was reported BLT club secured $28,653 from the state government's Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF).
The club costed a $90,000 package transformation to hard courts and night lighting among other ground improvements.
It looked a done deal.
BLT club president Mark Pemberton said the project was in risk of collapsing because the club did not know if the shire will contribute gap funding of $19,000.
"We are counting on the shire to contribute the gap funding because the whole of funding is contingent on us being able to ensure the full amount," he said.
Mr Pemberton said shire management had not responded to correspondence from the club, with one dated July 22.
"It appears our proposal to them is in hiatus," Mr Pemberton said.
“I think they need to understand the urgency because we have time constraints.
“We were hoping to get some work done by June however if it takes too long it's not like we can give a week's notice to contractors, we need to know where we stand.”
Mr Pemberton said if the shire could not allocate the funds they might have to look for a private donor and club stalwart Karen Hunt had been working around the clock to secure funding from elsewhere.
"Bridgetown Tennis Club means a lot to the community and it provides so much good value,” Mr Pemberton said.
“The works and upgrades will also diminish maintenance costs.
“Tennis Australia not only endorses hard courts but encourages the move to them as the next generation of successful young tennis players need the hard court experience.”
In October last year Blackwood-Stirling MLA Terry Redman welcomed the announcement of the CRSFF small grant.
"It is very pleasing that tennis facilities in Bridgetown will be among those boosted by the state government grants," Mr Redman said.
The net $90,000 is required to convert two grass courts to hard courts, add new courts, upgrade facilities and add adequate night lighting.
There would be significant earthworks and retaining walls.
At this time there are two hard courts and 10 grass courts.
A contribution from Royalties for Regions fell through, however Tennis Australia would contribute near one third, the CSRFF grant, some in kind donations and goodwill and the prospective contribution from the shire would close the deal.
Mr Pemberton said four hard courts and lighting would enhance the junior coaching program as well as provide more court time to residents.
"We are hopeful the shire may support us however they need to let us know imminently," he said.
Chief executive Tim Clynch, community services director Elizabeth Denniss and shire president Brian Moore have been contacted for comment.
Email a friend