Blacktown Tennis Centre

AJC was commissioned to create a regional Tennis Centre, designing extensions to the existing leisure centre to double the number of indoor courts, along with a new tennis centre administration building, 16 outdoor courts, ground level car parking and access road - all of which should complement a range of existing sporting and community facilities on an 11hectare site at the eastern corner of Stanhope Parkway and Sentry Drive.

Already on site were the Cox Richardson-designed leisure centre (housing an indoor aquatic centre, gymnasium, crèche, stadium with two indoor basketball courts and ancillary spaces), the Dennis Johnson Library, and associated car parking and access road.

In designing the leisure centre extension, AJC has respectfully referenced the building’s existing architectural language, replicating the two, vault-roofed bays housing original courts when creating two new indoor courts along the building’s eastern elevation. The proportions of the extension, materials and finishes are designed to match those of the existing building, allowing the extension to appear an integral part of the original. New ancillary and storage spaces are also incorporated into the stadium extension to provide for a wider range of uses and up to 2400 building occupants.

The new L-shaped, two-storey tennis centre is positioned to the east of the aquatic centre, with one wing connecting into the extended stadium while the other faces east to overlook the tennis courts, providing a reception, foyer, pro shop, tournament office, professional suites, offices, club room, viewing deck and amenities dedicated to the operation of the new tennis centre.

Sixteen new external tennis courts, including a show court with permanent seating for 366 spectators, and surrounding spaces to accommodate temporary stadium seating for major events complete the work.