Refurbished tennis courts in Thanet can finally be booked – some 10 months after the renovation project was first announced.
Thanet council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) joined forces in January for a project to invest £283,234 to renovate six courts at Spencer Square and Montefiore Games Centre in Ramsgate; Memorial Recreation Ground, Broadstairs; Hartsdown Park and Westbrook Games Centre, Margate and St Mildred’s Games Centre in Westgate-on-Sea.
Work had been due to be completed by the end of April, however this overran at courts including Westgate which was still waiting for nets to be installed in June.
In September people were still unable to book at Montefiore Games Centre in Ramsgate; Hartsdown Park and Westbrook Games Centre in Margate and St Mildred’s Games Centre in Westgate-on-Sea.
That month The Isle of Thanet News revealed the contract to operate and maintain the courts had been awarded to the National Tennis Association {NTA} which has bases in London, Norwich and Swindon.
Thanet council has now confirmed NTA as the operator for Montefiore Games Centre in Ramsgate; Memorial Recreation Ground, Broadstairs; Hartsdown Park and Westbrook Games Centre, Margate; and St Mildred’s Games Centre in Westgate-on-Sea. The courts in Spencer Square, Ramsgate, are being looked after by Thanet-based Infinity Tennis.
Thanet council and NTA will work with the LTA to deliver a range of activities. These will include free weekly, volunteer led, park tennis sessions across the sites for people of all ages, skill levels and playing experience. Equipment will be provided, meaning participants won’t need to bring their own racket.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth, said: “Appointing an experienced operator to successfully manage and maintain these newly refurbished courts is vital to securing their future.
“Having received a substantial level of investment from the LTA, the next step in encouraging more Thanet residents to get involved in tennis is to have well maintained facilities and a partner that is dedicated to supporting tennis and growing the sport in the community. We have appointed the NTA for this role and I am pleased to have them on board.”
Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Thanet officially re-open to the public, and in better shape than ever.
“Park tennis courts are vital for providing people with opportunities to pick up a racket, and we want as many people as possible, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to enjoy playing tennis and being active. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”
Josh Gook, Thanet Parks Tennis Project Lead and Director at NTA, added: “The Park Tennis Project is a huge opportunity to grow community tennis facilities and grass roots sport across the country.
“We are looking forward to launching this exciting project across Thanet. We will aim to provide affordable, all year round tennis across pay and play, annual passes, free sessions and weekly coaching.
“We have ambitious plans to help grow the sport in Thanet and look forward to seeing players enjoying these upgraded facilities.”
Courts are now open for booking now via the LTA website. Sessions cost £3.00 per 30 minutes and families and regular players can purchase an annual household pass. A payment of £40 gives access to courts for 12 months, with no additional charge. An hour of free group tennis lessons per week will be held at each court. Sessions are due to start next spring.
Just in time for winter weather!
It’s a shame that the Cliftonville courts have not been included? Oh well there will be a lovely £750k skatepark there soon 😬
The skatepark is going infront of Bugsy’s and will have more average user per day than the Tennis Courts would in a week, across all weathers but ice. Last time I drove passed the tennis courts on palm bay, they were being used for personal trainer groups doing drills.
The local group got operating immediately. All the well paid executives in the prestigious bodies ‘joined forces’ and took months to get going in time for winter. Lessons here?
Lesson being good things come to those who wait, or did you have something else you wanted to get off your chest that you’re alluding to?
another waste of public money , tennis is a very niche game
Brilliant – whilst I’m not a tennis player, anything that brings good facilities to the area is good news imho
After a winter of ice and snow the courts will probably be out of action again awaiting repairs that won’t be projected to completed until late next autumn