mmg.com.au

Work has started on the Heathcote Tennis Club courts after cracks formed in the playing surface during winter.

A view reminiscent of a demolition site confronted those passing the tennis courts in Wright St.

The resurfacing of the six courts started on Wednesday, when contractors AARA Bendigo Asphalt started ripping up the existing court surfaces.

AARA employee David Lawton said once the surface was removed, the soil beneath would be dug down to 200mm, with the aid of laser levels.

Mr Lawton said a geotech fabric would then be laid over bare soil, over which crushed rock would be poured, then 40mm of asphalt.

‘‘The grader levelling the crushed rock would use a laser to constantly guide its progress, to prevent undulations on the surface of the finished courts,’’ Lawton said.

‘‘The asphalt would then have to be left to settle for one to two months before the final hard-court surface could be laid.’’

Heathcote Tennis Club president Mary Beedle said the club was grateful to Tooborac Tennis Club for allowing Heathcote to use its courts during the repairs.

Training will continue on Thursdays from 4.45pn to 6pm.

‘‘We have been told that works will be completed by the end of January and we will be having a grand opening as soon as they are done,’’ Beedle said.

‘‘This term, I am also running a fun session of tennis and other games on Tuesdays from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on the basketball court at Heathcote Primary School.

‘‘All primary school children are welcome.

‘‘I am asking for a gold coin donation to cover costs such as the provision of oranges.

‘‘Sue Dundas from Tennis Victoria is lending us a couple of mini tennis nets for six weeks to help us run this program and we have several spare racquets for the kids to come and try.’’

For information, contact Heathcote Tennis Club secretary Velvet Kay on 0407 800 480.