The ACT Government has helped Table Tennis ACT fix up their facility with $34,000 COVID sport sector support funding.
Hundreds of avid table tennis players from across Canberra are set to benefit from a recent series of upgrades to the ACT Table Tennis Centre, which includes refurbishments and new flooring to create a safer environment for players of all ages.
The Centre in Kingston is Canberra’s home of table tennis, and is run by Table Tennis ACT, an organisation seeking to make the game more accessible for anyone in the ACT who wants to be involved.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry said the government hoped the upgraded facilities would help encourage new players, as well as growth in school-based table tennis participation.
“Table tennis a great sport that is social, fun and accessible for many people. The Table Tennis Centre in Kingston offers a great atmosphere and the upgraded facilities will improve the game experience for many people and perhaps encourage more people to give it a go.
“COVID-19 resulted in the closure of the Centre for three months, which allowed Table Tennis ACT to undertake this much-needed work between March and the end of June. It’s great to see that now the work is complete, the Centre can open back up to participants,” said Minister Berry.
The ACT Government invested $34,000 towards upgrades at the Centre, which involved:
- installing new floor and Taraflex playing surface, specifically designed for table tennis;
- making the space more open with the removal of some internal walls;
- installing a new kitchen, new security cameras and new carpet;
- extending the verandah; and
- painting the building inside and outside.
The ACT Government also supported Table Tennis ACT with an additional $11,500 supplement payment during COVID-19, which enabled the club to buy additional supplies and cleaning to make the venue COVID safe.
Table Tennis ACT is also one of the growing number of sports organisations in the ACT that has reached 40% female representation on its board, a key indicator of diversity and a focus of the ACT Government.
“Diversity in decision-making is fundamental to breaking social barriers. When more women are represented at a board level, it enables sports to focus more on the needs of women and encourages greater female participation.
“There are now 24 peak sporting bodies in the ACT triennially funded through the ACT Government’s Sport and Recreation Grants Program that have reached the 40% female board representation target, including Table Tennis ACT, which is great to see,” said Minister Berry.
As stated by Heather Tomlinson, President of Table Tennis ACT:
“It’s been really great to get this funding to help fit out our Centre, particularly to replace the floor which was getting beyond repair.
“This major upgrade has enabled Table Tennis ACT to continue to provide a dedicated table tennis centre for our members and community, whether that be to play socially, practice and train or compete in our club pennant competition.
“Thank you to the ACT Government and the many club volunteers who have helped manage the upgrades as well as the painting and cleaning so we are now able to open back up.”
