Long term future of Rockhampton Regional Tennis Centre looks promising

With current leaseholder, Tennis Rockhampton Limited, ending their lease of Rockhampton Regional Tennis Centre at the end of the year, Rockhampton Regional Council has approved two key measures to ensure the long-term sustainability and future of the Centre (RRTC) at Victoria Park and its continued use as both a local and regional hub for tennis.

The departure of Tennis Rockhampton Limited presents an opportunity for a new operator with Council soon to be inviting tenders for the lease and operation of the RRTC. Tenders for the facility are expected to be released in the coming months with a successful operator expected to take over the management of RRTC in the new year.

The two measures approved by Council to ensure the future of the Centre include changes to the Victoria Park governance and operating model as well as a plan for future investment including court resurfacing which will commence in the 2025/26 financial year.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said Council is committed to ensuring the Tennis Centre was a thriving and accessible community facility that promotes tennis participation at all levels whilst being financially sustainable longer-term.

Mayor Williams noted "we want to ensure that tennis has a home at Victoria Park well into the future. To do that we need to ensure that both the facility, the operator and the broader tennis community have the tools to succeed.

"These changes are common-sense proposals that will see a more contemporary operating model put in place that underpins the centre's long-term sustainability whilst also confirms Council's commitment to invest in the facility going forward.

"We know that owning and operating a regional facility like this is always a balancing act and so over the coming months we will be working with stakeholders – local and at a State level - to explore what that need is and how we can deliver that investment."

With the current leaseholder, Tennis Rockhampton Limited, ending their lease at the end of the year, Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford expressed gratitude for their dedication to growing tennis in the Region.

"I thank Tennis Rockhampton Limited for their long-standing commitment to developing tennis talent and providing opportunities for local players of all ages and abilities the last 13 years, it has been invaluable," Rutherford said.

"The Rockhampton Tennis Centre is the largest tennis centre outside of south-east Queensland and is a major asset for our region, attracting a number of state competitions year round.

"We want to see this facility thrive and we know that we need to work with everyone to ensure we can deliver a great tennis experience going forward."

Image. Render for Rockhampton Regional Tennis Centre. Credit:Rockhampton Regional Council