Council secures funding for park tennis court refurbishment
LTA Tennis Foundation is inspiring and improving lives through tennis.
Cheshire West and Chester Council and the LTA have agreed a partnership to improve the tennis courts in Knights Grange.
The site’s two courts will be renovated as part of a £43,100 investment helping ensure that quality tennis facilities are available for the local community.
The project is part of a £30million nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people.
This investment will see thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country through renovation works, and improved court accessibility, with new gate-access technology and booking systems.
The Knights Grange courts will receive a full resurface, full re-paint, moss treatment and full weed removal, new nets, net posts and centre bands, as well as an on-line booking system, and access to free play and coaching opportunities for residents.
This will include weekly organised free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition.
Work on the improvements is due to start in the coming weeks, however this is weather dependent.
The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and open spaces have been critical in providing physical, emotional, and mental health benefits to communities. The demand to utilise parks and open spaces has increased as people have become aware of these benefits. This funding is wonderful news and will mean residents will have access to safe, well maintained, and high quality courts. The use of an online booking system make it easier for residents to find, book and get on court with assurance the courts will be available for them when they arrive. There will also be access to free play and coaching opportunities.
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said:
We are delighted to be working with Cheshire West and Chester Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active. This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project, and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come. We will also be working closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council to ensure that the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, and open up our sport to many more people.