TWO not-for-profit community organisations in Port Douglas will receive funding for important infrastructure projects under the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program.

• Up to $6500 for the Douglas Integrated Riders and Train-builders (DIRT) Club to build a new Mountain Bike Skills Park in the heart of Port Douglas; and

• Up to $20,000 to the Port Douglas Tennis Club to upgrade their courts and fencing.

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch met with DIRT Club Secretary Lachlan Pearce in Port Douglas recently to check out the site of the Skills Park, on land adjacent to the Reef Raiders Rugby Club grounds and the Port Douglas Community Centre.

“The funding will help the club develop an unused section of the Port Douglas Sports Reserve, creating a trail system that would be safe for riders of all skill levels,” Mr Entsch said.

Club President Robert Borzi said the Park would include a cross-country style circuit of over 1000 metres, a 150 metre pump-track circuit, a 300 metre skills circuit and 30 metres of bridge work through the adjacent swampland.

Meanwhile, the grant for the Port Douglas Tennis Club will help the club to upgrade two “thoroughly worn-out” synthetic grass tennis courts.

Port Douglas Tennis Club Secretary Charles Arter welcomed the news, saying the grant allowed the Club to go ahead with the re-construction of courts 2 and 3 and much-needed new fencing.

“This is going to make an enormous difference to the facilities for all players and especially for the future of the programs for junior development at our club,” he said.

Mr Entsch said the upgrades would result in increased usage of courts in all weather, growth in membership, make the courts safer and bring them to a standard suitable for inter-club tournaments and competitions, enhance coaching programs, boost social and competitive tennis within the club, and increase rental income from court hire by the public.

The Australian Government, in the 2015-16 Budget, provided $45 million over two years to fund small capital projects (between $5,000 and $20,000) in each of the 150 federal electorates