For more than 18 years, the Jerrabomberra Tennis Club's home was a tiny shack. In 1997, Queanbeyan City Council handed two courts over to the club and at the time the clubhouse was equipped with a single toilet, lacking any space for further amenities.
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Today, after an eight month construction period, the structure is home to a modern kitchenette and a large, spacious and insulated viewing area that allows those inside to watch any of the matches playing out upon the club's six courts.
The sole toilet has been replaced by male, female and disabled bathrooms which are all equipped with sensor controlled lighting and the entire building has been designed and constructed with a conscientious approach towards modernity and the conservation of energy.
But Jerrabomberra Tennis Club president John Talbot said that the construction would have been impossible if it hadn't been for the support received by members of both the club and community, crediting the realisation of the project to the massive community support shown.
"It's pretty amazing when you we have a $600 to 700 thousand building on a budget of $351,000," he said.
"The facility was built by a loan, council grants, financial contributions from the club, volunteer labour and kind assistance from industry. I'm just grateful to everybody."
The grand opening of the clubhouse has been planned in conjunction with the tennis club's annual junior competition, the Noel Murray Tournament, which will run on both Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13 between 9am and 4pm.
"Once a year, we have a junior tournament where we encourage kids to either play tennis or a smaller version of the game known as Hot Shots," Talbot said.
"It's simply to encourage young kids to have a go in a safe tournament environment where it is very low-key, and we put on a barbecue and just really enjoy the day."
The facility will be officially opened on Sunday, February 14 with the plaque to be officially unveiled at 2.30pm.