Shire’s $200,000 puts tennis club upgrade back in play

A sigh of relief rippled through the Manjimup tennis community as a last-minute cash injection from the shire put the future clubhouse plans back on track. The Shire of Manjimup unanimously agreed to pledge an additional $200,000 to the project at last week’s council meeting, bringing its total contribution promise up to $810,430.96. The additional funds came after the Manjimup Tennis Club failed to secure funding from Tennis Australia due to the impact of COVID-19. The club also fell short in its 2021-22 application for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Community Sporting Recreation Facilities Fund. The proposed facility is expected to cost $1.8million and will include six courts and an amenities pavilion. Manjimup Tennis Club President Peter Simpson said with the shire stepping in to help, the project had been saved from the scrap pile. “We are very grateful to the Shire of Manjimup, councillors and staff, for their support of our club project along with huge support from our local community sponsors and supporters,” he said. “Without this further injection of funds from the Shire, we were not going to be able to lodge the CSRFF application for the 2022-2023 round as (Tennis Australia) need a successful (Australian Open) to go ahead in 2022 before offering any grants from the National Court Rebate.” In addition to the shire funds, the club plans to launch another bid to the CSRFF for the 2022-23 round of grants which could replace the $200,000. It’s understood the additional Shire funds will come from phase three of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with the original $610,430.96 already included in the 2021-22 budget last year. The facility will form part of the shire’s community strategic plan and the Manjimup sport and recreation plan.