Newly refurbished tennis courts in Thanet remain unused despite being completed at the start of Summer because there is currently no way to book sessions.
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.
Residents are due to be able to book the tennis courts online via the LTA website www.lta.org.uk/play, subject to a booking fee but currently only Broadstairs and Spencer Square in Ramsgate are given as bookable options on the LTA site.
Some residents say Westbrook and Montefiore courts have been used although there does not seem to currently be any booking facility for them.However, according to other residents Montefiore courts are ’empty’.
One resident said: “The council hasn’t sorted out someone to run the keypad system that’s been installed on the gate. Families and locals are turning up to a locked tennis court. Now it’s nearly mid August and the courts are empty.”
One frustrated Westgate tennis player said: “The Westgate court has not been added (to the booking site and it’s impossible to book and get an access code!
“I don’t know what is more egregious, that or the 5 months it took to paint the courts blue and green but it is certainly clear mismanagement.”
The player suggested Thanet council open up for the courts for free use for the remainder of the summer but was told by Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth, that the council “can’t legally offer free sessions because we have awarded a contract to an external party to run the courts.”
A Thanet council spokesperson said the courts are expected to go on the booking system “soon.”
They said: “We’re delighted with the progress that has been made on all our refurbished tennis courts.
“Before we can open them to the public and allow bookings, we need to finalise some aspects of the lease with our new operating partner. This process is almost complete.
“We expect to announce that the courts are available for online booking very soon. Until then, Westgate and the other courts will not be listed for booking online.
“In the meantime, courts can be booked at: Margate Lawn, Margate, St Peter’s, Broadstairs and Spencer Square, Ramsgate
“There are also free to play courts accessible at Palm Bay, Margate and Warre Recreation Ground, Ramsgate.”
