The facility upgrade includes two new asphalt netball and tennis courts and two synthetic turf tennis courts with improved lighting and fencing.

Premier Denis Napthine attended to congratulate the Tyrendarra community at the opening, singling out its effort to contribute $140,000 through fund-raising. 

The South West Coast MP said the Victorian government contributed $60,000 towards the project through the Country Football and Netball program, in addition to $120,000 from the Glenelg Shire Council.

“These much improved courts will ensure members of the Tyrendarra Football Netball Club and Tyrendarra Tennis Club can play on a safe and compliant state-of-the art sporting facility,” Dr Napthine said.

“It will mean that for the first time in many years Tyrendarra can again host netball finals in the South West District Football Netball League and the Surry District Tennis competition can return to the reserve.”

Dr Napthine said the improved court lighting would enable netballers to return to train at the Tyrendarra reserve on the same night as the club’s footballers.  “For many years Tyrendarra’s netballers have been forced to hire courts in Portland to train. These new courts will ensure they can train alongside the footballers, unifying their club ensuring families can train and play at the same facility together,” he said.

“It will also allow the Tyrendarra Tennis Club to return to its home courts after being forced to play in Portland due to the deteriorating state of the surface last season. 

“It will also allow the return of the community’s popular twilight tennis competition which can now run later into the night and beyond daylight saving  because of the new lighting.”

Dr Napthine said the Tyrendarra courts were now among the best in the region, “ensuring the Darras can continue to be top of their game while allowing both the netball and tennis clubs continue to recruit new players while encouraging more locals to get outdoors and get active.

“I applaud the efforts of the local community in fund-raising towards this important community project. 

“The recreation reserve is the glue which keeps this community together and I have no doubt there will be continued sporting success on these new courts for the Darras for many years to come.”