Mrs Hilary Morgan, wife of the Vice-Chancellor, opens the expanded tennis complex on Monday 19 October 1992.  Four new tennis courts with synthetic grass surface, floodlights and a shelter shed were added to the existing four tennis hardcourts.

Tennis Court Opening

The long awaited synthetic grass tennis court complex was officially opened by Mrs Hilary Morgan last month.  In uncharacteristic October sunshine Mrs Morgan unveiled a plaque marking the culmination of a five year struggle to make the courts a reality.

Officially approved by the University Council in 1987, plans for the complex had been plagued by financial and logistic problems that prevented the project from coming to fruition before this year.  In his opening address Professor Barry Boettcher likened the problems to the progress of a typical 1950s tennis match, that went backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards.  One of the barriers to developing the courts had been the proposed route of Highway 23, Professor Boettcher said.  “If the Highway had followed its proposed route, we would now be standing in the middle of it,” he said from centre court.  “We are delighted that eventually the ball landed at one end of the court and that we are at the end where it landed.  We are all extremely pleased the courts are here and that they are of such a high quality,” Professor Boettcher, who was standing in for Sports Union President Dr Bernard Curran, said.

Mrs Morgan, while saying she had been good at sports, admitted tennis was not her game, saying she believed it must be a hazardous game because of the need to confine it to a caged arena. While acknowledging it had taken many years to plan and build, Mrs Morgan praised the courts, saying they would be a valuable addition to the University campus. 

The 4 court complex, with lighting and a shed, had been built in 2 stages, Executive Officer of the Sport and Recreation Office, Adrian Iakin said.  Situated on the eastern side of the campus, opposite the Hunter Building, the site of the courts had been excavated in 1990.  The building work began in January this year, with the first game played on April 25.  The shed was completed in June and the lights erected in July, Adrian said.  The total cost of the complex had been around $380,000.  “The philosophy of the Sports Union is to develop a wide range of facilities for students and staff to use at an affordable price," Adrian said. 

The captain (sic-President) of the University Tennis Club, Graeme Steverson, presented a gift to Mrs Morgan and thanked her for opening the new courts.  “On behalf of the Tennis Club, I want to say what a marvellous facility we have here, we are the envy of all the clubs in the region,” Graeme said. 

Adrian Iakin said the evergreen synthetic grass with sand in-fill courts gave a true bounce and played at medium speed (neither too fast nor too slow).  After consulting competition tennis players on campus, he believes the Sports Union has succeeded in coming up with a good surface.  “With the growth of synthetic grass courts a few years ago, many players decided to go elsewhere for a better service.  I hope with the development of the courts, which are right up there amongst the best in the region, that staff and students will stay and play at the University," Adrian said.  

The official opening of the courts culminated in exhibition matches at noon, followed by a luncheon.  Professor Boettcher acknowledged the contributions of Hugh Floyer, who he described as the driving force behind the courts, John Johnston of Physical Planning and Estates for the site presentation, and Peter Stevens, the ground curator, saying the attractive landscaping was a perpetual reminder of his service.

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