GRAND plans to build a $14 million tennis centre at Centenary Park have not been slammed out of bounds despite the Centenary Park Golf Club deciding not to be part of the proposed project.
Councillors at December’s public council meeting heard the volunteer-run golf club wanted to remain self-sufficient rather than move to a commercial footing.
Frankston mayor Cr Brian Cunial said last week council had met with representatives of the Frankston Tennis Club, Bayside Gymnastics Club, Tennis Victoria and Gymnastics Victoria and had agreed to exclude the golf course and management of the club from the planned Centenary Park tennis complex.
The new centre has been proposed as a solution to a relocation of the Frankston Tennis Club, founded in 1891, from its corner of Hastings Rd and Yuille St site.
Council officers have been speaking to the Frankston Tennis Club since it will have to vacate its site next to Frankston Hospital when the hospital expands and adds more buildings.
In 2015, council proposed the Frankston Tennis Club could merge with the Frankston East Tennis Club, located near the golf course, and two lawn bowls greens could also be included in the project.
The bowls greens have been dropped from the project and council officers recommended Bayside Gymnastics would be a suitable tenant in any new sports complex.
The gymnastics club uses a gym at Langwarrin Park Primary School where equipment has to be reassembled for each gymnastics session.
Cr Cunial said last week’s meeting “was very constructive, with all parties committing to move forward”.
“It was agreed to continue to pursue the Centenary Park project, recognising that additional work will be needed on the management model and financial arrangements with the clubs and the peak bodies, Tennis Victoria and Gymnastics Victoria,” Cr Cunial said in a statement.
“Further discussions will be held with the clubs around their needs in order to develop a concept plan that can then be costed, which is vital in identifying funding sources.
“This work will occur over the next six weeks, where the groups will then reconvene for a further review of the project. Councillors will then be updated on the progress of the project.”
The Frankston Tennis Club is located on Crown and state government owned land. The club’s lease ends in November 2022 but can be terminated earlier by the state government.
A council officer report tabled at last month’s council meeting stated Peninsula Health has offered $1.5 million to the tennis club towards its relocation, expected to be imminent next year.
At the December public meeting, some tennis club members questioned Cr Colin Hampton’s involvement in making decisions about the Centenary Park project since he is a long-time member of Centenary Park Golf Club.
Council CEO Dennis Hovenden said council had received legal opinion that advised Cr Hampton has an interest in common and not a conflict of interest.
“There is a belief that Cr Colin Hampton does not have a conflict of interest,” Mr Hovenden said.
Cr Hampton made it clear he would be part of discussions and will vote with fellow councillors on the proposed Centenary Park project.
“I don’t have a conflict of interest – I have an interest in common,” Cr Hampton said.
The Local Government Act allows councillors to vote on matters if they are a member of a club and not on a board or committee.
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