Facility Spotlight: Thornleigh Squash Centre
Published Thu 02 Jun 2022
Squash NSW alongside Member for Hornsby and Treasurer Matt Kean MP officially opened the newly upgraded Thornleigh Squash Centre in May.
Located north of the Sydney CBD, Thornleigh Squash Centre was built in 1979 and has had limited upgrades since that time.
The club, which hosted the 2019 Australian Junior Open, runs a range of coaching and development programs and hosts international and senior and junior pennant competitions.
With an aim to ensure disability access, attract more female players and a focus on junior development at the core of their grant application, Thornleigh received a $960,000 grant from the NSW Government.
The grant was awarded through the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund, which aims to enhance community participation and improve sports infrastructure.
The fund is designed to invest in new and existing facilities to improve the quality and quantity of sports infrastructure across Greater Sydney.
Not only did the grant help modernise the facility but is set to assist in the development of young squash players, cater for local school groups and competitions, as well as offer new options for inclusive programs with new accessibility upgrades.
Thornleigh now boasts a modern gym facility with a 70m indoor running track along with a state of the art lift for greater accessibility, office accommodation and refurbished bathrooms.
Squash NSW President John Small thanked Mr Kean and the NSW Government for their support.
"We thank the NSW State Government for its significant financial support of this project which will allow for greater usage and accessibility for the broader community,” he said.
“The health and wellbeing benefits of squash are immeasurable, and we now boast one of the premier squash centres in Australia.”
While upgrades to the facility weren’t all smooth sailing - it’s been two years in the making after COVID-19 uncertainty, lockdowns, global supply chain challenge and wet weather delayed the project, it was officially re-opened in May to the general public.
Thornleigh will be looking to maximise the facility upgrades through hosting local organisations and events so they can cater for the broader community.
