Published: Tuesday, 23rd July 2024
Tennis players can now enjoy the game on newly refurbished courts – thanks to a partnership between the LTA and Oldham Council.
Six park tennis venues have been renovated at a total cost of £252,044, helping to ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community.
The project was part of a nationwide investment by the 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 has seen 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.
Park tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for children and adults to get active, delivering significant physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits to participants. Accessible facilities in parks are particularly critical to opening up the sport to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and women and girls.
In addition, £11,136 was invested by Oldham Council.
Alongside the investment, the council will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activity across the park sites. This will include organised Barclays 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 racquet. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition.
The park venues that were improved are in Alexandra Park, Chadderton Hall Park, Dunwood Park, High Crompton Park, Lower Memorial Park and Werneth Park.
Work has included new resurfacing and fencing, the repainting of lines and improved access gates.
All courts and sessions at all sites will be available to book online via the LTA website https://www.lta.org.uk/play/book-a-tennis-court/
Councillor Peter Dean, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture, said: “Our park tennis courts are really popular, so I’m sure this refurbishment will be welcomed by players of all ages across the borough.
“Hopefully the better and improved facilities encourage even more people to visit our parks, have fun playing tennis and be more active.”
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Oldham 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.”