The redevelopment of the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre at Bolton Park has started, with contractors onsite undertaking demolition in recent weeks.

So far, the surfaces of the existing tennis courts have been removed, internal fences have been dismantled and the clubhouse building demolished.

Wagga Wagga City Council went out to tender for the demolition, design and construct of the facility in September 2023.

The tenders received needed further discussion with each contractor, therefore at its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 20 November, Council resolved to decline all tenders and authorised the General Manager to negotiate with the existing tenders until a satisfactory outcome was achieved.

Director Strategy & Projects Phil McMurray said the reasoning behind the negotiations revolved around the complexity of the project.

“Tenders were required to put forward the design and construction methodology. The negotiation phase allowed us to confirm all those details before we entered into a contract,” Mr McMurray said.

“We are pleased a tender was chosen and the demolition of the building and surrounding courts has commenced.

“The demolition of the existing facilities has been undertaken by a local contractor who have done a fantastic job; they will be finished in the coming weeks and the building contractor will come on site to commence construction.”

It is expected the redevelopment of the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre will be completed by the end of 2024 as originally planned.