Redeveloped courts may lead to return of national-level events for city

Tennis Otago representatives (from left) board member Alessandro Pezzuto, business manager George McLenaghan, deputy chairwoman Kim Everett, president of University Tennis Jack Warner and board member Peter Drew step on to the upgraded courts at the newly named Stevenson Tennis Centre. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

Tennis Otago is set to unveil stage one of its redevelopment of the newly named Stevenson Tennis Centre and Graeme Marsh Lounge at Logan Park, today.

The centre is a regional facility for Otago and Southland.

The project, which had its origins in 2015 and is worth about $900,000, will be opened this afternoon.

The redevelopment so far has consisted of upgrading 10 of the 26 courts at the site.

An aerial view of the redeveloped tennis courts. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The old ones had become worn over the years and he said the upgrades were obvious when comparing the new ones to those yet to be completed in stage two.

While it was hoped to be a drawcard for bigger tournaments, he said it would also have an impact on local tennis.

"When you’re playing on something nice like that, it’s going to make a difference to people wanting to come and play," he said.

"The surface is nice, the courts look good. I think that’ll add to the enjoyment factor of people coming down.

"That’s where we want to breathe a bit of life into the tennis community and the general public as well to come down and have a go on these new courts, because it doesn’t happen too often."

While Dunedin used to be a venue for bigger national-level tournaments, those have waned in recent years.

A large reason for that was the courts having deteriorated in quality.

McLenaghan hoped the improved facilities would help lure some of those back.

"Typically, the old surfaces they weren’t up to scratch in terms of hosting national and international events.

"Once it’s all done and we’ve got 16 or more of the same surface courts that are up to that level, we’ll definitely be looking to host some national and possibly even international events."

Stage two of the redevelopment was intended to begin next year.

That would involve upgrading the remaining 16 courts, as well redeveloping the pavilion.

It was hoped those developments would be finished before the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup.

That would add to the sporting hub around the Logan Park area which also boasts Forsyth Barr Stadium, the University Oval, the artificial football turf, the McMillan Hockey Centre and the Caledonian Ground.