TOWNSVILLE became the epicentre of tennis in North Queensland following the opening of the new $3.7 million Townsville Regional Tennis Centre at Kalynda Chase last Sunday.

The complex is one of the best facilities of its type in regional
Queensland, boasting 10 International Tennis Federation standard hard courts, including a show court, suitable for professional tournament play. Other features include off-street car parking, landscaping, clubhouse with administration space, multi-purpose meeting rooms, pro shop, cafe , and community gymnasium.

Townsville City Council Mayor Les Tyrell and Minister for Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure, and Member for
Thuringowa Craig Wallace, joined representatives from Tennis Queensland, Department of Communities, Sport and Recreational Services and Urbex Pty Ltd to open
the facility. ‘‘This is a world class facility and it is part of a determined effort to increase sporting and recreation opportunities for Townsville residents,’’ Cr Tyrell said.

‘‘The new tennis centre is in a prime location within one of the major growth corridors of Townsville. These facilities will be available for competitive and recreational tennis players as well as local families, and we hope that this new premier sporting facility will also attract major tennis events to the region.’’ The tennis centre is a major partnership between the Townsville City Council, Tennis Queensland, Queensland Government, The Lancini Group and Urbex Pty Ltd.

The overall funding for the project comprised of $1.25 million from the council, $2 million from the Department of communities, Sport and Recreation Services and $450,000 from Tennis Queensland which includes a $72,000 rebate from Tennis Australia.

Land owners Urbex and the Lancini Group officially gifted the land, worth $3.4 million, for the centre to council. ‘‘Tennis Queensland would like to thank the Queensland Government, Townsville City Council, Tennis Australia, Urbex and The Lancini Group for contributing to this significant project,’’ president of Tennis Queensland Ken Laffey said.
‘‘The new Townsville Regional Tennis Centre Kalynda Chase is an exciting and much welcomed addition to Queensland’s growing network of first class regional tennis
facilities. ‘‘We look forward to the new operator, Lifetime Tennis, providing a wide range of programs for the residents of Townsville and its surrounds.’’