Two Central Coast organisations have received more than $300,000 in State Government funding.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said Gosford Tennis Centre had enjoyed a $126,204 boost from the Infrastructure Grants program and Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS) is $200,000 richer.
Crouch said the Tennis Centre would use the funds to replace its 50-year-old lighting system.
“The old system will be replaced with new LED lighting that consume only a fraction of the energy of the old lights,” he said.
“This facility often plays host to interstate tournaments as well as regular training squads and practice sessions, so the new high-quality lights will be a very welcome boost for the Club’s 2,000 members.”
Gosford Tennis Club Operations Manager, Jackie de Vivo, said the club was “absolutely thrilled” to be able to offer new lighting to the Coast’s tennis community.
“Basically, it will light 13 courts that currently have very antiquated lighting, and this will have a huge impact on night tennis,” de Vivo said.
“At the moment, replacing just one bulb can cost $2,500 because there is a cherry picker involved.
“We have one light out at the moment and have been trying to save up to get it fixed.
“This new LED lighting is going to save the club an enormous amount of money.
“At the moment our quarterly electricity bill is around $5,500 and this should reduce significantly.
“It will be a gamechanger for our competitions.”
RYSS is likely to use its funds to assist with the purchase and development of a new shopfront when it relocates from its current facility later this year, Crouch said.
The new shopfront is set to contain youth-friendly spaces, meeting and workshop rooms, an exhibition area and space for case managers.
“RYSS does an outstanding job at providing support and care to young people on the Central Coast,” Crouch said.
In the latest round of funding, $4M in grants have been awarded to 32 projects across NSW in the categories of sport and recreation, arts and culture, disaster readiness and essential community infrastructure.
Applications for the next round of funding open on September 21.
Terry Collins