Few questions were asked or comments made on the proposed Clare Oval multipurpose hardcourt facility on Monday night, with the meeting generally agreeing the project should commence as soon as possible.

The public meeting, on June 30, attracted only a small gathering to hear about the project’s progress and look at plans.

The meeting was part of a public consultation plan for the facility which has been driven by the Clare Lawn Tennis Club’s desire to find a permanent home since the sale of its premises, next to the Clare Bowling Club, to developers.

After negotiations with the Clare Hardcourt Tennis Club it was decided to merge both bodies, and, in association with the Clare netball clubs, develop a multi purpose tennis and netball facility comprising nine tennis courts, of which four will also be used for netball.

The current cricket practise nets will be moved under the plan and there is room for additional car parking in the future.

The project will be funded by the Clare Lawn Tennis Club ($790,000), Clare Combined Netball Club ($20,000) and Clare Combined Cricket Club ($10,000) in a collaborative approach to the redevelopment.

So far the council has spent $22,000 for engineering, soil testing, consultation and other work and has committed $150,000 for a public toilet to be integrated into a new clubhouse.

A further $41,000 will need to be spent on storm water and drainage, plus $10,000 for security fencing and costs associated with the closure of the Beare Street entrance. The first stage of the plan will involve the removal of eight trees and the relocation of a colony of Gould’s Wattle Bats.

To comment write to the council by Friday, June 11.