Inverell Tennis Club, together with life members George Lowrey, Alan Mather and special guests, held an official opening of the upgraded clubhouse on Sunday.
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The club received a $236,000 grant from the State Government to construct a new covered verandah, disability access ramp, new toilets and kitchen/bar area within the 60-year-old complex building.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall arrived in Inverell to join in celebrating the official opening of the upgraded and expanded clubhouse.
"The final result is fantastic. Every cent of the grant money stayed in Inverell, with local builders undertaking the work.
"It was especially pleasing to see two outstanding life members in attendance George Lowrey, 98 years young, and Alan Mather, 95, who have literally given two lifetimes to the advancement and betterment of the club and its forerunner, the Inverell Lawn Tennis Association," Mr Marshall said.
The final result is fantastic. Every cent of the grant money stayed in Inverell.
- MP, Adam Marshall.
"Both spiritedly men were as excited as anyone today with the expansion and upgrades. Well done to the club's President Matt Butler and committee on a project well done."
The club's weatherboard clubhouse had been in place since 1958 and although it's had a couple of additional areas added since then, there had not been any major works done for about 20 years until the most recent upgrade.
When the funding was first announced back in September 2018, Mr Marshall said Inverell had one of the largest tennis centres in NSW with its six synthetic and 15 clay courts but the ageing clubhouse was stifling club expansion through a lack of more modern and adequate facilities.
It was Inverell's turn to host their round of the Junior Development Series (JDS) on Sunday, however it was cancelled due to COVID-19.