Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia, 27 March 2018 | Tennis Australia

Tennis NSW President Wayne Pascoe joined City of Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM and Wollongong Tennis Club Vice President Paul Heininger to announce the resurfacing of eight courts at the Wollongong Tennis Club.

The project will allow for the courts to be used as practice facilities in the lead-up to Australia’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Play-off against the Netherlands on 21-22 April 2018.

Tennis NSW President Wayne Pascoe said the resurfacing will also provide vital opportunities for the community and help secure the future of tennis in Wollongong.

“This is an exciting project which will not only give our Aussie Fed Cup team a great facility to train at for their all-important tie against the Netherlands but will also all give the passionate tennis community of Wollongong and it surrounds even more opportunities to pick up a racquet and have a hit,” Wayne Pascoe said.

“Wollongong Tennis Club and the Beaton Park precinct has a long tennis history and the resurfacing of the courts is just the first step in continuing this legacy.

“Tennis NSW would like to thank the entire team at the City of Wollongong including Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM and CEO David Farmer and Wollongong Tennis Club for their support on this project.”

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said the funding partnership was an exciting coup as it injected additional funds into the ongoing development of the City’s sporting facilities and allowed for the development of facilities that could be used at all levels of competition.

“Wollongong City Council and Destination Wollongong are committed to bringing events such as the Fed Cup to town. To do this well we need to build on our existing infrastructure in a way that brings maximum benefit to the whole community.

“Upgrading courts at Wollongong Tennis Club means we have more to offer when seeking to attract major sporting tournaments to the region but, more importantly, it means we have a standing legacy of the top class facilities that can be used by the entire community day-in and day-out.

“I’m really excited to see the Fed Cup is coming to Wollongong and encourage all the local tennis fans to get in early and book their seats. We’re in for some exciting matches.”

Wollongong Tennis Club Vice President Paul Heininger is looking forward to seeing the courts transformed.

“Wollongong Tennis Club would like to extends its thanks to Tennis NSW and Wollongong City Council for supporting the upgrade of the eight hard courts here at Beaton Park.

“The Club is thrilled to welcome Australia and the Netherlands, our members and the wider community to the new facilities once the upgrade is completed in April.

“We also look forward to collaborating with the Council and Tennis NSW as we seek to host future national and international events at our great club.”

Work on the courts has already commenced and the project is due for completion in time for next month’s Fed Cup tie.

Two-day ticket packages are now on sale via Ticketmaster. Adult prices start at $72, concessions $64, juniors $15 and family passes (two adults and two children) are $159.

The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Play-off between Australia and the Netherlands is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, and Destination Wollongong.