weekender the western FRI 7 MAR 2014 • Issue 1143
Printed on 100% recycled paper
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
Pride on the line
Business Advice, tips and profiles on the best local businesses p.28-29
The forgotten courts Tennis centre at St Marys has become a shadow of its former self CASSANDRA O’CONNOR
Wanderers take on closest rivals p.38
Upgrade welcomed p.22
Ticketing revolution Opal card rollout hits local stations p.14
@cassandra_o
F
or the majority of the week, St Marys tennis courts near Blair Oval are locked up and unused. But Oxley Park resident Judy Ward says that she would like to see the “forgotten courts” spruced up so that the community can access them more readily. “Once the tennis club there didn’t renew the lease and Penrith Council was left to manage the courts themselves, St Marys tennis courts have become forgotten,” Ms Ward said. “I play tennis with a group of six ladies, we used to have 18, but apart from us and one or two other groups who use the courts of an evening, there isn’t really anyone here.” Ms Ward is 73-years-old and has been playing tennis since she was six. For the last 14 years she has played at St Marys and so knows the courts and the game well. “There are less people playing because everyone is now focused on the Penrith complex, “ she said. “There was a coach for the kids down here but he moved to Penrith and with no-one here at the facility, unless you plan ahead to book in for a game, you cannot simply come down for a bit of social fun. “For too long St Marys has been the poorer cousin of Penrith, but what about the families who are local who might want to play?” Ms Ward and her tennis group play Friday mornings and unlock the centre, turn on the hot water for their cups of tea and then lock up again afterwards. Story continues on » p. 8
MON & TUE NIGHTS
MUSSELS
Penrith Councillor Prue Car with concerned residents at the St Marys tennis courts. Photo: Melinda Jane
5
$19.9
Bottomless bowls of juicy Mussels and crusty bread, Choice of flavourings Bookings Essential
WW4282
* Conditions Apply, Excludes Public Holidays