Frew Park serves up final construction milestone
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk today announced that Frew Park is on track for a November 29 opening, with major construction now complete on the Roy Emerson tennis centre.
The highly anticipated inclusive youth playground, known as The Arena, is nearing completion and is a key element of the reconstructed Frew Park site and will provide an exciting experience for teens while paying homage to the former use of the site. “The Arena will be fitted out with a range of fun and challenging equipment to enable children in the community to pursue an active and healthy lifestyle,” Cr Quirk said. “This $1 million playground is designed specifically to suit children 10 to 15 years of age and complements nearby parks in Milton and Gregory Terrace designed for younger children. “The playground will feature a range of exciting experiences including a large climbing wall and 7 metre high curly slide, climbing nets and ground level equipment for younger users and kids of all abilities.”
Cr Quirk has also announced that Tennis Gear Australia has been appointed to run the new Roy Emerson Tennis Centre. “We are looking forward to working with Tennis Gear Australia to provide Brisbane residents with a first-class tennis facility,” Cr Quirk said.
“The Roy Emerson tennis centre will have six tennis courts, a rebound wall, amenities and a lounge area with a food and beverage kiosk for park visitors to enjoy. “I look forward to re-opening Frew Park to Brisbane residents in November, ahead of another ace tennis season in Queensland which will start with the Brisbane International.”
Cr Quirk announced in June that Brisbane tennis legend Wendy Turnbull would be honoured in the naming of the Frew Park tennis green. “Wendy Turnbull was a Grand Slam winning doubles and mixed doubles player on nine occasions during her run on the Women’s Tennis Association tour in the 70s and 80s,” Cr Quirk said.
“As both an athlete and role model to aspiring players, she made a major contribution to the local sporting landscape. The dedication of the green in her name will ensure her impressive legacy lives on.” Other features of the new park will include shaded picnic areas, a large grassed open space for daytime sport and recreation, exercise equipment and a car park with 50 car spaces.
In June the giant tennis racquet which previously adorned the old Milton Tennis Centre at Frew Park, was re-installed at the redeveloped site. The Lord Mayor thanked well-known Brisbane identity Steve “Stefan” Ackerie, for the donation of the racquet, which would pay homage to the area’s rich sporting heritage.
