THE announcement of a $66,000 contribution towards the Clunes tennis courts will help provide a summer sport for local children once again, says tennis spokesperson Barry Goldsmith.
"The kids in this town have no summer sports at all," Mr Goldsmith said.
"They've got nothing but the swimming pool and skate park. I'd say nearly a generation of kids have missed out on tennis."
Speaking at Creswick earlier this month, Acting Premier Peter Ryan said flood-damaged community infrastructure in Hepburn Shire will be repaired with the help of $99,000 in funding from the Victorian Coalition Government.
He said the funding from the $30 million Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund would go towards repairs to the Creswick Scout Hall and Clunes tennis courts.
"The Creswick Scout Hall was significantly impacted upon by the 2011 floods with equipment destroyed and the hall badly damaged," Mr Ryan said.
"The government will contribute $33,000 towards this project, which will help make the hall operational as a place for scouts to gather for their various activities.
"The works involve reinstating the verandah, flag pole and front fence, and shaping the land for drainage as well as replacing the damaged equipment."
Mr Ryan said $66,000 would go towards repairs at the Clunes tennis courts, which had been unplayable since the floods.
"The central location of the courts means their restoration represents not only the resumption of tennis matches but also the return of a place of great community pride," Mr Ryan said.
"The project involves excavating the damaged court, re-laying gravel substructure, sealing, line marking and purchasing nets, posts and other equipment to return the courts to full community use.
"Work on both projects is scheduled to be completed by the end of next March."
Mr Goldsmith said the tennis courts hadn't been up to standard for 10 to 15 years and the local tennis club had disbanded and now played at Creswick.
"We've got to start from scratch and get a committee together," he said.
"The committee will have to look at providing toilets and a little clubroom or shelter needs to be taken into consideration.
"Whether the courts get shifted or not will also be up to the committee.
"It's got to be done properly from the start. There's no point wasting $66,000."