Council gets new tennis courts ready for tournament

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Almost 500 junior tennis players will descend on Penrith for the Nepean Easter Junior Open from 25 to 28 March.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown said players would be in for treat this year in the annual event thanks to Council's work in installing new courts.

"The players will have the opportunity to play on new cushioned hard court surfaces - similar to the playing surface as that used in the Australian Open," Councillor McKeown said.

The Nepean Easter Junior Open is the largest event in Australia over the weekend and forms part of Tennis Australia's Junior Tour.

"The $1.3 million court installation project was mainly funded by Council along with contributions from Tennis Australia and the NSW Government through its Community Building Partnership Program."

"These new courts are contemporary world class rubberised acrylic surfaces.

"Council is proud of the role it is playing in promoting tennis to the region and its support of junior sport."

Chief Executive Officer at Nepean District Tennis Association, Chris Woodland, said: "On behalf of NDTA I would like to extend our appreciation to the Mayor, Councillors and council staff for their commitment to tennis in Penrith and the substantial investment at the Woodriff Gardens venue.

"Council have worked tirelessly on this challenging project to achieve an outcome that will bring international standard facilities to the tennis playing public of Penrith and Sydney. 

"Thank you all who have played a part in this achievement." 

The new playing surface is produced by Mapei, with the courts in Penrith being the first to use this product in NSW. In ensuring the quality of the courts, Mapei flew their Technical Director from Italy to oversee some of the initial surface applications.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Thursday, 24 March 2016.