The first stage of investment in Renfrewshire’s tennis courts is underway as enhancements to the courts at Brodie Park in Paisley take place.
The seven courts at the popular community facility are being cleaned and repainted, repairs are being made to the surface, new nets are in place, and a new access gate is being added.
It’s all part of a £320,000 investment in three sites in Renfrewshire, with Robertson Park in Renfrew and Park Road in Johnstone due to be brought back into use when the works at Brodie Park are complete – with the existing courts being upgraded from red ash to tarmac.
As part of the investment, Renfrewshire Council and OneRen will work with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to deliver a range of activity across the sites, including free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided – and local tennis leagues will also provide friendly, sociable opportunities to get active.
Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, visited the courts to see the work getting underway, and said: “I’m delighted that our tennis courts are receiving such a significant investment and, with the Brodie Park courts already extremely well used, these enhancements will make a big difference to local players.
“Works will begin soon to bring Robertson Park and Park Road into use, and these will become fantastic facilities for anyone in Renfrewshire who wants to play tennis. I’m looking forward to seeing works get underway later this month.”
To ensure communities benefit from the new courts, it is proposed that free tennis would be provided by OneRen between at specified times Monday to Friday, and free coaching would be provided to local school children through the Active Schools programme.
Councillor Lisa Marie Hughes, Chair of OneRen, said: “It’s wonderful to see this investment starting to deliver for communities across Renfrewshire. With homemade stars like Andy Murray inspiring the next generation to get more fit and active on the courts, we now have facilities which can help them achieve their goals – and even if you might not make it to Wimbledon, I’m sure people of all ages will enjoy brushing up on their backhand.”
Funding has been by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish thousands of public tennis courts and open up the sport to more people across Britain – identifying that park tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for children and adults to get active.
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with Renfrewshire 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 Renfrewshire Council and OneRen 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.”
Once the works are complete, courts will be available to book via the LTA website, players will be able to buy adult and junior memberships using the free ClubSpark app, and all courts will be made available for local tennis leagues to use.
For more information on sport and leisure activities in Renfrewshire, visit www.oneren.org.