Polwarth MP Richard Riordan says he has no reason to doubt that a $500 million plan for a Surf Coast tennis academy will proceed.
The Modewarre development is being dubbed as the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and is led by renowned international tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
To be located on a 220 hectare site in the Surf Coast hinterland, it’s part of the planned Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA) sport and wellness tourism centre.
Mr Riordan says the academy mirrors another already established by Mouratoglou in Nice on the French Riviera.
“They’re telling us, they’re telling the public, that they believe it can work,” the local state MP said.
“It’s based on similar models around the world and this is the type of entrepreneurial spirit we want to see in our region.”
The CORA Tennis Academy complex is expected to include a total of 48 courts, with 33 tennis courts and 15 other padel, pickle and mini courts. In addition there’ll be a show court and a clubhouse with gym and swimming facilities.
Mr Riordan says the project will be boon for the region and believes its proponents have done the sums on whether it will stack up.
“I don’t think there are any doubts,” he says of its development future.
“At the end of the day this is a commercial exercise, the owners, the operators, the developers will make the decision based on their own economics.
“It’s up to them to decide and make that commercial decision.”
