Three tennis courts across North East Lincolnshire are to be officially reopened on 28 September with a family fun session after a £255,000 renovation, managed by the LTA, and supported by the LTA Tennis Foundation.
Tennis courts in Haverstoe Park, Sussex Recreation Ground and Barretts Recreation Ground have benefited from this investment.
The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, along with representatives from the LTA will formally open the courts at an event at the court at Sussex Recreation Ground, open for people from the local community to attend from 9am to 11am.
Through the Parks Tennis Project, the LTA is delivering the biggest ever investment in parks tennis facilities across Britain, which has been used to transform three sets of courts across the local area, providing a significant boost to sporting facilities.
The courts have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including resurfacing, repainting, new posts and nets and the addition of security measures for the courts. This nationwide programme of investment is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country, providing vital opportunities for children and adults to get active.
As well as weekly free park tennis sessions, with equipment provided, the new courts will host Local Tennis Leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social local competitions.
We Do Tennis will be responsible for the operation of the courts for the next five years.
Andy Moss, Head of Parks at We Do Tennis, said: “We Do Tennis is a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving, growing, and securing the future of tennis at all levels. We are extremely excited to be working with the Council and the residents of the local area to provide a first-class tennis offering. Improving the facilities is a great first step and our role is to activate tennis in the area and get lots of happy people with a racket in their hand.”
Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for leisure, said: “I’d like to thank the LTA particularly for their funding for this project to help us bring these back into use. This has been a lovely project to watch grow in our local parks, and I’m delighted to see the courts refurbished and ready for our residents and visitors to use all year round.”
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across North East Lincolnshire officially back open to the public, and in better shape than ever.
“Public tennis courts are such vital facilities for getting active and we want as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”
Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council
