Over budget, but new Beaton Park tennis centre set to be a smash hit with players

Wollongong now boasts one of the best regional tennis centres in Australia but it has come at a considerable cost after several construction problems resulted in lengthy delays and an expensive blowout believed to be in the millions.

Last Friday, at the official opening, dignitaries described the completion of the Wollongong Regional Tennis Centre as the beginning of a new chapter in the sporting history of the city.

“Wollongong is a genuinely sports-mad city with a long history of producing champions in a wide variety of sports,” Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said.

“As a result of this project, I have no doubt we’ll see more names added to that decorated honour roll as more people fall in love with the sport of tennis because of opportunities this facility will provide.”

Described as a Tier 2 facility, the tennis centre positions Wollongong as a destination for international, national and state-level events and a major strategic base for development of the sport in NSW.

With 15 courts in total, the elite facility boasts eight ITF-sized cushioned acrylic courts, alongside two community-sized cushioned acrylic courts, four synthetic grass courts and another multipurpose court for community use.

As reported in The Illawarra Flame in November, it certainly wasn’t plain sailing getting the ambitious sporting project across the line. The discovery of asbestos under the surface of the old courts in early 2024 caused a lengthy and expensive delay while the material was removed and disposed of.

There was a further delay and more significant costs when several of the new courts started “bubbling”, requiring them to be stripped and resurfaced.

At this time, Council says it isn’t able to identify how the additional costs will be paid for, and what the impact will be on Council’s budget.

“This project has not been without its challenges, and as early as February 2024 we indicated that the final costs of this project would be impacted by unforseen hurdles, including the contaminated materials which were found beneath the old courts upon their removal,” a Council spokesperson said. “More recently, we’ve collaborated with the contractor to work through challenges with sections of the court surfacing.”

Following last week’s opening, reports put the final cost of the new tennis centre at $17 million.

In April 2023, Wollongong City Council committed $11.7 million for the major upgrade works. The project was supported almost 50/50 with $6 million contributions via partnerships with Tennis NSW, Tennis Australia, the Australian Government and NSW Government.

A Council spokesperson said while the works were finished, the expenditure for this project was yet to be finalised.

“This is consistent with large-scale Council projects of this nature, as time is needed for Council, our contractor, and sub-contractors to finalise their costs once work has been completed, and after the rectification window has closed,” the spokesperson said.

At the opening, Member for Wollongong Paul Scully was pleased the NSW Government‘s $1 million contribution had helped make the Beaton Park tennis revamp possible.

“In addition to bringing the courts up to modern expectations, the new shade structures, seating, floodlights, pathways and landscaping will make sure that this is a better facility for those on the court as well as those spectating,” Mr Scully said.

Tennis NSW CEO Maria Nordstrom says the new facility will benefit tennis players of all ages and standards.

“From school programs and coaching to social play with family and friends, right through to the capability to host professional events, this project ensures everyone in Wollongong has access to quality spaces to stay active, connect with others, and experience the joy of our sport.”

Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes is excited about the potential to unlock new sporting and tourism opportunities for the region.

“This modern and inclusive facility will further strengthen Wollongong’s position as a major hub for world-class sporting events, driving local jobs growth, tourism and investment,” Ms Byrnes said.