Work begins on Leopold Tennis pavilion redevelopment

WORK has started on the $1.7 million redevelopment of the Leopold Tennis Pavilion.

The upgrade will create facility that meets community needs, offering enhanced amenities, modernised infrastructure, and an elevated experience for players and spectators alike.

The new pavilion, located at the corner of Meluka Road and Bellarine Highwaty, will feature a social space, kiosk/kitchen, internal and external storage, female-friendly club amenities including showers, toilets and accessible public toilet, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience for players and visitors. An accessible car bay will also be constructed.

The existing playground will be removed and a new local playground constructed at the south end of the Leopold Memorial Reserve. The existing two public toilets, hit up wall and pavilion will be demolished.

The new playground will be built mid-February next year.

Leopold Tennis Club members vacated the existing pavilion this month ahead of its demolition, and a temporary public toilet will be provided on the reserve and be available to use for the public until the building is complete and new public toilets as part of the new pavilion are available to use.

The redevelopment was funded by $1 million from the Victorian government’s Sport and Recreation 2022-23 Local Community Sport and Recreation Projects fund, and $720,000 from the City of Greater Geelong and Bellarine MP Alison Marchant, Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan, Cr Jim Mason and Cr Elise Wilkinson visited the Leopold Tennis Club last week to celebrate the start of the works.

“The Leopold Tennis Pavilion Redevelopment is a testament to our dedication to fostering a strong sporting community,” Cr Sullivan said.

“This revitalised facility will benefit our local tennis enthusiasts and serve as a hub for athletic development and community bonding.”

Cr Mason said providing a variety of healthy recreational activities across the Bellarine Ward was a high priority for the council.

“This project marks a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to promote and support grassroots sports and recreational activities within the region.

“I have no doubt that the enhancements in store for the Leopold Tennis Pavilion will elevate it to a sporting facility, dedicated to serving our community’s sporting aspiration for generations to come.”

Ms Marchant said the Leopold Tennis Pavilion Redevelopment would go a long way in supporting the growing number of people in Leopold and surrounds who are keen to get involved in tennis.

“We’re investing in great projects like this as they encourage more people to get fit, active, and involved in local sport, creating more local jobs and boosting home grown sporting communities.”