Baw Baw Shire’s Drouin Tennis Club celebrates upgrade of Balmoral Park Pavilion

Baw Baw Shire’s Drouin Tennis Club celebrates upgrade of Balmoral Park Pavilion

Baw Baw Shire’s Drouin Tennis Club has celebrated the opening of their upgraded Balmoral Park Pavilion – a multi-purpose accessible facility which will be utilised by the wider community for intimate conferences, club meetings and local schools for their tennis tournaments.

The $353,000 upgrade was fully funded by Baw Baw Shire Council via their Capital Works Program with the refurbishment project having originated as a recommendation of the Drouin Outdoor Recreation Plan Review 2019.

The outcome is the result of extensive consultation, with the input and guidance of the Drouin Tennis Club and members of the Project Reference Group directly informing the scope of improvement works.

The upgrade includes:

• Construction of a DDA compliant accessible carpark with tactile indicators and handrails

• A new kitchen and servery, including new hot water service

• Increased meeting room space and a change to the roof profile

• A new DDA compliant toilet and shower, plus modification of toilet partitions to provide additional clearance between toilet partitions and walkway. (The toilet/shower and entry door were also made wider than normal to allow for the wider wheelchairs used in wheelchair tennis.)

• New storeroom and hitting wall

• New veranda and spectator viewing.

Council officers liaised with the Drouin Tennis Club and the members of the Project Reference Group from the project inception, ensuring the works were delivered smoothly from start to finish.

The project employed local contractors and subcontractors throughout, including James G Morrison Builders and Buildingdesigned.

Drouin Tennis Club President David Kent notes “I would like to thank the Baw Baw Shire and Morrison Builders for completing the Balmoral Park tennis club rooms. It has been a privilege to be part of this project and to work alongside Baw Baw Shire Council to help provide a much-needed modern facility for our growing tennis club.

“This multi-purpose facility will be utilised by the wider community for intimate conferences, club meetings and local schools for their tennis tournaments. The new building also provides easy access to all disabled members of the community and offers a baby change room for young and growing families.”

Deputy Mayor Annemarie McCabe notes ““Baw Baw Shire Council is delighted to support such a vibrant club so they can continue to thrive and promote healthy physical and social activity.

“This project means that the Drouin Tennis Club is more accessible and inclusive for all members of community, and that is a great outcome.

“It was fantastic to see so many people come together to celebrate the delivery of this important project – especially after the difficult couple of years we’ve all been through.”

Images from top: Drouin Tennis Club clubrooms at Balmoral Park Pavilion; Deputy Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Council Officer David McMahon, Drouin Tennis Club President David Kent, and committee members Nick Saddington, Glenn Awty, and Paul Matthew celebrate the opening of the upgraded Balmoral Park Pavilion; The view from inside the newly upgraded Pavilion. Images courtesy Baw Baw Shire Council