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A joint partnership between Latrobe City Council, Tennis Australia, Traralgon Tennis Association and the Victorian Government will see the resurfacing of tennis courts at the Traralgon Tennis Centre.

The $700,000 project will deliver three different playing surfaces at the state-of-the-art facility and will be completed in time for January's Traralgon Tennis International.

Russell Northe, the Victorian MP for Morwell explained that the State Government "has assisted in resurfacing courts at the Traralgon Tennis Courts complex to secure events such as the Latrobe City/Loy Yang Power International Pro Circuit and the International Tennis Federation Junior International tournament.

"With total resurfacing works costing about $700,000, the (Government) commitment will ensure these major tennis events can remain in Traralgon ï¾ a privilege currently under threat of being revoked unless the courts are resurfaced.

"This International Pro Tour event had brought some of the biggest names in tennis to the region as players attempted to break into the top 100 world rankings.

"This competition attracts an enormous number of visitors and creates a huge economic boost, with our local hotels booked out and our restaurants and retail outlets receiving a significant increase in patronage."

Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said that the Traralgon Tennis Centre was a Regional Centre of Excellence, adding "on completion of the resurfacing project the Traralgon Tennis Centre will be the only centre is regional Victoria that will have three different playing surfaces. This opens up many opportunities for the centre in terms of hosting tournaments as well as improving the skills of the users. Having access to the multiple surface types will be a huge bonus for the players."

The resurfacing project will include:

• 14 courts with Plexicushion surfaces - Tennis Australia's preferred surface, as used by the Australian Open;
• Eight Courts will be a Plexipave surface with the same blue finish as the Plexicushion court;
• Two courts to be resurfaced as synthetic clay courts.

Traralgon Tennis Centre President Neville Pattle said that the new surfaces would be a great addition to this year's tournament, adding "hosting the Pro Tour provides a significant economic impact and benefits not just for our tennis centre and town, but for the wider Latrobe City area throughout the duration of the tournament. The number of visitors, players and officials expected is around 500.

"They stay in the region for an average of six days (and) with many of the competitors being from overseas, this tournament and others we may be able to host in the future, gives us an opportunity to showcase elite athletes in the region, and to boost the profile of Latrobe City and the Gippsland area.

"We are looking forward to the completion of the court resurfacing and to the beginning of the tennis season. We would encourage visitors to come along and watch potential new champions in the making."

The Traralgon Tennis International is held in early January each year in the lead-up to the Australian Open's Junior Championships.

For more information on Plexipave/Plexicushion surfaces contact WM Loud (Aust) Pty Ltd on 03 9364 9199, E: wmloud@wmloud.com.au, www.wmloud.com.au

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