New life has been breathed into run-down tennis courts in Burley Park, thanks to a slice of a £654,000 fund from Leeds City Council and the Lawn Tennis Association.
In total, 42 tennis courts at eight public parks have been renovated, with investment of over £654,000 ensuring that top quality facilities are available for local communities.
The parks included are Beckett Park in Headingley, Burley Park, Chapel Allerton Park, Grove Road Recreation Ground near Temple Newsam, Harehills Park, Roundhay Park, Springhead Park in Rothwell and The Hollies in Weetwood.
The project is part of a £30m nationwide investment supported by the LTA Tennis Foundation and delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain and open up the sport to 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.
WLD reported in March how councillors on the inner west community committee had pledged £10,000 towards the Burley Park project. The grant helped to resurface and repaint the three courts and replace all net posts and nets. Fencing around the courts was also due to be replaced.
As part of the project, Leeds City Council will work with the LTA to deliver a range of activities across the renovated parks. This will include weekly organised Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience, with equipment provided. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide opportunities to get active through local competitions.
It is now possible to book courts to ensure there is one available before turning up. From late November, visitors will need a booking to gain access to the courts with a pin code. Bookings can be made for free online here.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “This is a fantastic scheme to improve tennis courts across our city’s parks and we’re pleased to be working together with the LTA to deliver it.
“Investing in these facilities will ensure that we have good quality public tennis courts available across the city for people of all ages to use free of charge for many years to come. This is particularly important given that health and wellbeing is a high priority for Leeds City Council.”
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with Leeds City 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 LTA’s Parks Tennis Project and courts will be available for people to use for years to come. We will also be working closely with Leeds City 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.”