Grand slam plan

By Melissa Grant
AUSTRALIAN Open stars may soon be serving it up in Pakenham.
A $3.86 million regional tennis facility is set to open in December, in time for competitors to be swinging their racquets in the lead-up to the grand slam.
All 18 courts at the Webster Way centre will feature the latest plexicush-ion surface, the same used at Melbourne Park.
Cardinia Shire Council acting chief executive Mike Ellis said the centre had the capacity to host high level tournaments.
Mr Ellis said Open competitors could very well be practising their swing at the facility come December.
“We’re really hopeful to have it complete by Christmas because hopefully some players will come down and train on it for the Australian Open as it will be the same surface,” he said.
The facility will boast a state-of-the-art pavilion, clubrooms and on-site parking, while all 18 courts will have lighting.
Cardinia Shire councillor George Blenkhorn was hopeful some big tennis names would utilise the Pakenham facility, just a 50-minute drive from Rod Laver arena.
“It would be great to get some top quality players here to train,” he said. “You could dream of Roger Federer.”
Earthworks at the site are now complete, while kerbing around the courts will soon be installed, followed by crushed rock.
It is anticipated that asphalt will be laid on the courts in mid-October, followed by the plexicushion service.
Mr Ellis said the facility would cater for a range of user groups and had the capacity to host pre-qualifying tournaments for the Australian Open.
“Because we’ve gone and developed the 18 courts from day one it’s enough to cater for those types of events,” he said.
Tennis Australia has tipped in $288,000 for the project and the State Government has contributed $500,000.
The Cardinia Shire Council is a major player, funding the facility to the tune of $3.072 million.