Anyone for tennis? Three park courts earmarked for overhaul funding bid

Councillors agreed to submit the bid at their cabinet meeting on 21 December.

Following discussions with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the Council has earmarked tennis courts at Barretts Recreation Ground, Haverstoe Park and Sussex Recreation Ground for potential improvements.

This funding is part of the UK Government and LTA’s joint investment of over £30million, to refurbish public tennis courts across Britain, and support a new generation of players to get into the sport.

The Government and LTA investment is designed to open up the sport to people of all backgrounds, support the Government’s commitment to levelling up sports provision across the nation, and provide greater opportunities for children and adults to be active. This will see thousands of public park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of local communities.

The three parks were chosen due to their potential to attract players, the poor quality of the playing surfaces and levels of deprivation in the surrounding area.

Using the LTA’s analysis, the three parks have potential to attract enough recreational tennis players from their surrounding area to make them sustainable.

As well as making physical improvements to the courts, the Council will also need to look at how the courts are managed if the funding bid is approved.

Cllr Tom Furneaux, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and the visitor economy, said:

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to be part of a national drive to overhaul tired tennis courts and encourage more people into the sport.

“We’ve been working closely with the LTA to identify the three tennis courts that would qualify for the national funding. 

“Most people appreciate their local park. We want to improve facilities to give people the opportunity to enjoy their park even more.

“If approved, this funding bid could help improve sporting opportunities for people of all ages and give our children and young people better access to a hugely popular international sport.”

To find out more and read the full report, visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/meetings/cabinet-15/