Sports

By Kelly Yates
REFURBISHED tennis courts and playground upgrades are on the cards for the City of Casey after the Rudd Government announced more than $2.2 million to boost infrastructure.
The Government publicised the approval of the funds this week for six ready-to-go infrastructure projects in Narre Warren, Berwick, Cranbourne East, Pearcedale and Narre Warren South, which include tennis court refurbishments, playground and court upgrades, landscaping and the Casey Fields Sports Ground upgrade.
The City of Casey will receive $2,286,000 for the projects which is part of the $800 million Community Infrastructure Program.
The program aims to support jobs and boost local economies by building and renewing community infrastructure.
The $600,000 Casey Fields Sports Ground upgrade will see improved access to the ovals and criterium track.
Sealed access will also be provided to the rugby pitches and netball courts at the Berwick-Cranbourne Road facility.
A $400,000 playground upgrade initiative will see a range of playgrounds throughout Casey improved to meet Australian Standards.
Some of the playgrounds include Aldridge Reserve, Glenshee Reserve, Grove End Reserve, Brian J Carroll, Shetland/Skye Reserve, Charles Reserve, Marco Ciavarella Reserve, Latrobe Reserve, Slingsby Reserve, Padley Reserve, Clyde Playground Reserve, Cody Reserve and Houlder Reserve.
As part of the tennis court refurbishment program, costed at $590,000, 16 courts are set to be converted to a synthetic surface.
The Endeavour Hills Tennis Club, Hampton Park Tennis Club, Hallam Tennis Club and Tooradin Tennis Club will score the new refurbishments.
Pearcedale will welcome a netball pavilion and court upgrade valued at $332,000.
The improvements will include upgrading the change areas and amenities and installing undercover areas and equipment storage.
Works at the Baxter Tooradin Road complex will also include redeveloping the tennis courts.
A new café with a kitchen fit out estimated at $264,000 has also been allocated at the Aquatic Centre café in Cranbourne East, with new fencing and garden beds set to transform the Berwick Springs Promenade as a result of the $100,000 funding boost.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne said he was delighted to see funding announced so quickly for the Casey community.
“The Rudd Government understands that action is needed to support our community in Casey, which is feeling the effects of the global financial crisis,” he said.
Mr Byrne said the City of Casey would receive a contract shortly to ensure that the funds were delivered as quickly as possible.