Four Lewisham tennis courts reopen after renovation
Tennis courts in Chinbrook Meadows, which are among those to have benefited from the most recent investment, hosted a ceremony attended by Cllr Andre Bourne, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, along with representatives from the LTA on Saturday 22 July. Local people were given the opportunity to pick up a racket and get on court for a range of free sessions run by South East London Tennis.
The three other tennis courts in Lewisham to have been overhauled are Ladywell Fields (the Catford Bridge station end), Hilly Fields and Telegraph Hill, All four have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including: resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, new nets and posts and new gate access systems. It offers a significant boost to sporting facilities in the borough.
This is the latest phase of the Park Tennis Project, a nationwide programme of investment which 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.
Lewisham Council and South East London Tennis, the coaching provider of the tennis programme across the parks, will work with the LTA to deliver a range of activities across the park sites. This will include weekly free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided- this means that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly and sociable opportunities to get active.
These refurbished courts are available to book online via the Lewisham ClubSpark website Play Tennis Lewisham.
It is hoped the new booking system will make it easier for residents to find and book a court or activity. All courts and sessions at all sites will also be available to book online via the LTA website.
There are two booking options: either ‘pay as you go’ to book a court for £5 per hour or residents can purchase the £35 annual season ticket which entitles people to 3 x one-hour bookings per week – this is the equivalent of 67p per week.
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.
Cllr Andre Bourne, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Lewisham Council said:
“We’re happy to work in partnership with the LTA to invest in our tennis courts for the long-term and make sure that excellent sports facilities are available for our residents right across Lewisham.
“These four courts were in need of refurbishment. After thirteen years of Government cuts to local authority budgets, projects like this allow us to support ongoing improvements to local facilities without having to make cuts to other services.
"We are pleased to be welcoming people back to play on these beautiful, refurbished park tennis, which are vital to help residents stay active! And we will continue the dialogue with local residents and court users about our future plans.”
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said:
“After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Lewisham 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, said:
"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 Lewisham.
"These improved tennis facilities in Chinbrook Meadows will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu."