Funding for local tennis courts improvements
Public park tennis courts in Athelstaneford have been refurbished thanks to a partnership of East Lothian Council and the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) to invest in and refurbish public park tennis courts. Funding of £25,000 helped to ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community. In addition to the resurfacing of the court at Athelstaneford the funding also provided for new automated gate systems for the courts at Athelstaneford and at Polson Park, Tranent.
The new gates are linked to an online booking system called clubspark which all other tennis courts and clubs in East Lothian are part of. Usage of the courts will be better managed with the system also providing further offers such as club coaching and schools access.
The project is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and 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 will see 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.
Alongside the investment, East Lothian Council will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activity across the park sites. The council, in partnership with clubs and club coaches are working together to provide weekly 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 racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition. Full details of these will be confirmed in the near future.
Cllr Colin McGinn, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: “The funding from the LTA is greatly welcomed and will upgrade the playing surface of the public tennis courts at Athelstaneford and also provide new automated gate systems there and within Polson Park, Tranent. Tennis is a popular sport for local residents of all ages, particularly in the summer months, and this investment brings the courts to a suitable standard for both recreational and competitive play.”
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with East Lothian Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active. This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project, and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come. We will also be working closely with East Lothian Council to ensure that the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, and open up our sport to many more people.”
- Athelstaneford Court opens and is bookable (Free) from Friday 2 June.
- Polson Park Courts were already open but will be bookable (Free) from Friday 2 June.
Athelstaneford Opening / Launch Day – Thursday 8 June
Time Group
- 09:30 – 10:30 Community Session (Ageing Well – Over 50s)
- 10:50 – 14:30 Nursery & Primary School
- 17:00 – 19:00 Community Session (Open to All – Come & Try)
Polson Park Promotion Day / Come & Try* – Sunday 11 June
Time Group
- 10:00 – 10.45 P1-P3
- 10.45 – 11.30 P3-P4
- 11.30 – 12.30 P6-P-7
- 13:00 – 14:30 Community Session (Open to All – Come & Try) TBC
*In partnership with Tranent Bowling Club