Preston parks tennis courts officially reopened following renovation

Park tennis courts in Preston have officially reopened following a £243,000 renovation, managed by the LTA, and funded by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation and Preston City Council.

Tennis courts in Moor Park, Haslam Park and Ashton Park, are those to have benefited from this investment. Moor Park hosted a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Preston, Cllr Yakub Patel; Cabinet member, Cllr Freddie Bailey; along with representatives from the LTA and delivery partner, We Do Tennis on Saturday 30 September. There was an opportunity for people from the local community to pick up a racket and get on court for a range of free tennis sessions.

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 eleven 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 and repainting works, new fencing and nets and the introduction of gate access technology. 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.

All courts will be available to book via the LTA website. New booking systems and gate access technology means it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability.

The income from the small fees charged will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come. The LTA, Preston City Council and We Do Tennis CIC will work together to ensure free park tennis sessions are available on the courts providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play.

Councillor Freddie Bailey, Cabinet member for environment and community safety at Preston City Council, said:

"We enjoyed a fantastic event on Saturday with families playing tennis on the refurbished courts, despite the rain!

"We have a great partnership with the LTA, sharing an ambition to encourage more people to take up tennis and to be more active, all in the beautiful surroundings of our Green Flag parks.

"Thanks to everyone involved in organising a successful event and to everyone who attended the tennis sessions; we hope it was enjoyed by one and all."

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

"I'm delighted around 250 people have already booked to play on our newly refurbished tennis courts in Preston.

"Park tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for children and adults to play sports, 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 socio-economic backgrounds and women and girls."

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said:

"After months of hard work, we're delighted to see park tennis courts across Preston City Council 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."

Stuart Andrew MP, Sports Minister, added:

"We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation's physical and mental health.

"The Government and the LTA are working together to deliver thousands of refurbished courts across Great Britain, supported by £30 million of investment including in Preston.  
 
"These improved tennis facilities will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu."

More information

• In addition to investment of £218,000 from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, £25,000 is also being invested by Preston City Council.
• Alongside this investment, Preston City Council and the operator of the tennis programme across the parks, We Do Tennis CIC, will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activity across the park sites, including free coaching sessions.
• Income generated guarantees a sustainable financial model for the operation of the tennis courts and ensures there is adequate income to the Council to provide for future maintenance of the facilities.
• Bookings to play tennis can be made via Club Spark - Preston Parks Tennis book a court.

About the LTA

The LTA is the National Governing Body of tennis for Great Britain and governs and grows tennis, from grassroots participation through to the professional game.  The vision is "Tennis Opened Up" and they are on a mission to grow tennis by making it relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable.  They work with schools, with volunteers, with coaches and with venues across the whole country. They also represent the interests of over 1,000,000 Members, men and women, girls and boys, playing on more than 23,000 courts.