Loss of court causes concern

ONE of the six tennis courts at Meredith Recreation Reserve is being considered as a location for new cricket netting following the Meredith Cricket Club’s request for upgraded facilities.

But the move has caused issues as members of the Meredith Tennis Club have expressed their displeasure with the proposal, with committee member Bridget Dyer saying she’s “disappointed” at the possibility of losing a court.

“We get no support from council so it’s really disappointing that they want to take a court off us for an adult team when we’ve worked so hard to get it running,” she said.

“We’ve really built the club up in the last three years from no club to more than 50 members. Of that, 51 per cent are female and 49 per cent under 16.”

An assessment was undertaken by Tennis Victoria over the weekend to determine whether six tennis courts were required in Meredith.

A statement spokesperson from the municipality said the tennis courts are one of several options with a site yet to be confirmed.

“Golden Plains Shire council undertook site surveying work at the Meredith Recreation Reserve on behalf of the Meredith Cricket Club in response to a request to determine an appropriate location for upgraded cricket training nets,” the statement said.

“The results from the independent surveying revealed the Meredith Recreation Reserve Committee’s preferred site is unable to be used due to septic lines in place and insufficient available space.

“The removal of one existing tennis court has been identified as a possible alternative, and a range of options will be further explored in consultation with the Meredith Tennis Club, Meredith Cricket Club, the Meredith Recreation Reserve Committee and the land owner/manager, DELWP.”

Shane Grinter, president of the Meredith Cricket Club said they don’t want to take any courts from the tennis club.

“The tennis club’s came up as an alternative and we agreed that’s no good. It’s not going to benefit anyone from the cricket or tennis club if we go there,” he said.

“There’s four locations discussed for our new nets. Where they originally are is no good so that’s two left out of the proposed ideas.”

The two remaining options that have been suggested are at the reserve car park and the clearing between the tennis courts and the cricket oval.