$2m squash courts proposed for Deloraine
Architect’s rendering of Deloraine’s proposed $2m squash court. The design process offered two options, an extension to the existing complex or a stand alone building.
The new building will be sited next to the Deloraine Community Complex. Philp Lighton of Launceston is the architect for the project. The images shown are adapted from plans submitted to council. Red labels have been added to the original map.
Sharon Webb
Deloraine is set to have four new squash courts at a cost of $2m, according to a council planning application.
A process not made public has involved a visit by squash consultant Sarah Fitz-Gerald, who won five world open titles for Australia, and the design of two building options.
The new courts are to be located in a stand alone building next to Deloraine Community Complex on Alveston Drive.
According to Deloraine Squash Club president Corey Youd, funding will come from the council and the federal government, with the lion’s share coming from funding promised in 2019 during the federal election.
‘Our squash club welcomes the prospect of new courts. It’s been a long time coming,’ he said.
‘While it may seem squash is a niche sport, Deloraine has the third or fourth biggest club in Tasmania.’
Meander Valley Council was frightened off by the $33m price tag of a 2018 proposal for a consolidated recreation precinct at Alveston Drive. It now appears that a piecemeal approach, resulting from individual sports lobbing council and government, now exists.
In 2018 Mr Youd was among community working group members pressuring the council to take on the $13.3m first phase of the recreation precinct plan, covering football, squash and netball facilities.
After four years of work, councillors dudded the plan, politely thanking the working group for their efforts. Then Deloraine Football Club president Shaun Donohue accused the council of having ‘no vision for health and wellbeing’.
In 2019 two netball courts were built at Alveston Drive using a mish-mash of government, council and Bendigo Bank funding, and now new squash courts are proposed.
Deloraine’s current squash courts under the Little Theatre are not regulation size and cannot be used for State and inter-State tournaments. In the past Mr Youd has described them as ‘ageing and failing’.
He said four regulation size courts would attract use by junior State development squads, senior State competitions and masters competitions.
‘I’m also in talks with Squash Victoria who alternated joint training camp locations with Tasmania pre-COVID.
‘Given that the new courts will be state-of-the-art, I think there will be a lot of interest in them.’
Mr Youd believes the courts will future-proof the Deloraine club, which has 50-60 playing members.