Squash returns to the Mid North Coast as community builds new centre from scratch

PORT MACQUARIE, NSW — More than two years after Port Macquarie lost its only squash venue, the sport is making a comeback — driven not by a major grant or a government build, but by the local community itself.

Port Macquarie Squash has begun Phase 1 of an ambitious, staged plan to rebuild squash in the region from the ground up. It is believed to be one of the first times a regional club has set out to fund and build its own facility incrementally, proving demand at each step rather than waiting years for a single large grant.

A city of more than 50,000 people, Port Macquarie has had no dedicated squash facility since 2023. When the club lost its venue, it lost around 40 per cent of its players almost overnight, and the nearest courts are now a 45-minute drive away in Kempsey — a trip that has pushed juniors out of the sport and sent established players elsewhere.

“Two years ago, our players faced a simple choice: drive 45 minutes each way, or stop playing. We decided to do something about it ourselves — we’re not waiting for someone else to fix this, we’re building it, court by court, with our community behind us.”— Fenwick Snowdon, Vice President, Port Macquarie Squash

A four-phase plan

The project is structured across four phases. Phase 1, now active, will see a professional, all-glass court installed in a 250-square-metre leased venue in Port Macquarie, sized for two courts from day one. A second court is planned for the same building in 2027, with later phases growing the facility into a three-to-four court permanent home and, by 2030–2032, a six-to-seven court multi-sport precinct.

The model is deliberately designed as a proof of concept for other regional communities that cannot see a way to get sporting facilities built.

“This is bigger than one club. If we can show that a regional town can build this itself, we give every other community in the same position a blueprint to follow.”— Fenwick Snowdon, Vice President

Community-funded, and gathering pace

The club is entirely volunteer-run, with the project funded through community donations, business sponsorship and grants pursued at every level of government. To date, supporters have contributed $20,750toward Phase 1 — including the first donations from the club’s own players. The club has set a firm rule that it will not place an order for a court until 80 per cent of the estimated setup cost is secured.

Every donation made through the club’s Australian Sports Foundation campaign is tax deductible and goes directly into the court — flooring, wall panels, lighting and line markings. In the meantime, squash has not stopped: competition runs weekly in Kempsey, with social games in Port Macquarie, open to all ages and levels.

How the community can help

Residents and businesses can support the project by donating, becoming a sponsor, or adding their name to the club’s public list of supporters.