At the 2020 election, ACT Labor promised a tennis facility for Gungahlin, the first one built in the ACT since the 1980s. The ACT Government committed $8.4 million for the facility, which Chief Minister Andrew Barr said would be built within three years; they went to tender for a consultant to design the facility in 2021; and consulted the public on the design in 2022.

Four years after the election commitment was made, and barely three months before the next election, the facility still has not been built – but, the ACT Government announced today, it is “a step closer”.

The Development Application has been approved; the government will engage a construction contractor; and work will begin after that, Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation, said.

However, Canberra Liberals MLA James Milligan, Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation, said: “This project has had several delays, and was originally intended to be completed by the middle of this year. 

“Well, here we are in the middle of 2024, and ground still hasn’t been broken. This is yet another sad display of broken election promises from the ACT Labor-Greens Government.”

The government is building the facility with Tennis Australia and Tennis ACT.

“Tennis ACT is looking forward to the construction phase of the Amaroo Tennis Centre and a wonderful tennis facility for the community of Gungahlin and the greater ACT and region,” CEO Mark La Brooy said.

“After a number of years of planning, community consultation, Estate Development Planning, and now the approval of the development application, this sees the realisation of a vital piece of infrastructure that will bring tennis to one of the important growth corridors in the ACT,” Mr La Brooy said.

“We look forward to working with the ACT government in seeing this through to completion.”

The tennis facility will be built off Horse Park Drive, in Amaroo, and include 10 full-size tennis courts (12 were originally announced), two hot shot courts, a hitting wall, and a pavilion.

“Gungahlin is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and these new tennis facilities will be able to be used during day and night, responding to the growing needs of the sport,” Ms Berry said.

“The facility will assist in increasing participation through a range of programs, including Hot Shots Tennis and schools’ programs, Book A Court, Cardio Tennis, Adult Social, Junior and Senior Canberra Tennis League, and a number of all abilities programs.

“It will also assist in the development of young participants through Tennis Australia’s established tennis pathways, keeping more young people playing the sport and enabling the realisation of their sporting aspirations

“The facility will be able to host major tennis events in Canberra and boost participation in this popular sport.”

The ACT Government was asked for comment.