Preston Tennis Courts refurbishment ahead of summer

Tennis facilities at Moor Park, Haslam Park and Ashton Park will close for upgrades and redevelopment ahead of summer 2023.

The Council's Parks and Streetscene Service has been working in partnership with national tennis governing bodies for a number of years with a view to improving tennis facilities across Preston.

On 19 January 2022 Cabinet approved a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) application to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for funding to carry out works on Moor Park, Haslam Park and Ashton Park tennis courts. Cabinet also approved operational management changes which included a court access system and to enter into any appropriate agreement with the LTA to effect those changes.

The tennis court closures will be as follows:

• Moor Park - from 3 April until end of May
• Haslam Park - from 27 March until end of May
• Ashton Park - from approximately 27 March until end of May

Following refurbishment of the facilities, a new booking system for court use will be introduced to ensure upkeep of the courts for future use and to reduce deterioration.

There will be a number of free access sessions, predominantly off peak, and specifically to people who are experiencing financial hardship and where the charges are a barrier to use.

The charge will be £4.00 an hour, which represents good value for money and will enable the successful operator an income stream to provide a high quality tennis development programme.

Councillor Jennifer Mein, Cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Preston City Council, said:

"The overall aim is to improve the city's tennis facilities, increase participation and improve the playing experience for residents across Preston.

"We understand regular users of the tennis facilities have been frustrated for a long time about the condition of the courts, as have we. Now we hope people can be patient a little longer while the courts are out of use, where the future benefits will surely outweigh the inconvenience of the short closures."

Further Information

• Picture caption: Tennis court at Moor Park
• At Moor Park and Haslam Park there will be a period of four-weeks during which the surface needs to cure before it can be painted, so the courts will be left locked up during this time but cannot be used
• Plans to have an operator on board by the end of April who can then start delivering the booking / operating system and lessons when the courts open

Estimated costs

• Moor Park - resurface 6 courts Improve fencing, add gate access system - £100,000
• Haslam Park - bind the surface and paint courts, add gate access system - £25,000
• Ashton Park - bind the surface and paint courts Add gate access system - £25,000

Court availability

• Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm - Free
• Monday to Friday - 3pm to 10pm - £4
• Saturday and Sunday - 7am to 10pm - £4

The site would be closed between 10pm - 7am to reduce anti-social behaviour and damage.

All of the income will be reinvested by the LTA into court maintenance, including the provision of community coaching, where some free sessions will be available.

The tennis courts at Moor Park located in the multi-use games area near the observatory and those at Frechwood Recreation Ground will remain free and accessible at all times to ensure there is access to freely available courts at Council facilities.

Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.