Hey folks, exciting news! The tennis courts in Preston parks have just reopened after a massive renovation project. Can you believe it cost a whopping £243,000? The LTA, the UK Government, the LTA Tennis Foundation, and Preston City Council all chipped in to make this happen. Now, Moor Park, Haslam Park, and Ashton Park are looking better than ever.
Last Saturday, there was a grand ceremony at Moor Park to celebrate the reopening. The Mayor of Preston, Cllr Yakub Patel, and Cabinet member, Cllr Freddie Bailey, were there, along with representatives from the LTA and We Do Tennis. They even had free tennis sessions for the local community to join in on the fun.
This project, called the Parks Tennis Project, is the largest investment in park tennis facilities ever seen in Britain. It’s amazing how they’ve transformed eleven courts in the area. This is a huge boost for sports lovers!
The renovation work on the courts was no joke. They went all out to ensure the courts will last for years to come. They resurfaced and repainted the courts, put up new fencing and nets, and even added gate access technology. It’s like stepping into a whole new world of tennis!
But wait, there’s more! These newly renovated courts won’t just be sitting there looking pretty. They’ll be hosting Local Tennis Leagues and offering free park tennis sessions. So, if you’re up for some friendly competition or just want to have a hit, these courts are the place to be.
Booking a court is now easier than ever. Just hop onto the LTA website and reserve your spot. They’ve got a new booking system and gate access technology to make it a breeze.
Now, you might be wondering how they’ll keep these courts in tip-top shape. Well, they’ve got it all figured out. They’ll charge a small fee for bookings, and that money will go towards maintaining the courts. It’s a win-win situation!
Councillor Freddie Bailey from Preston City Council couldn’t be happier about the reopening. He said, ‘We had a fantastic event on Saturday, despite the rain! We’re thrilled to be working with the LTA to encourage more people to get active and enjoy tennis in our beautiful parks.’
Councillor Jennifer Mein, also from Preston City Council, added, ‘I’m delighted that around 250 people have already booked to play on our newly refurbished tennis courts. These courts are so important for getting people, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and women and girls, involved in sports.’
Julie Porter, the Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, expressed her excitement as well. She said, ‘After months of hard work, we’re thrilled to see the park tennis courts officially open to the public. 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.’
Even the Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew MP, chimed in. He said, ‘We’re committed to giving everyone access to sports for the sake of their physical and mental health. The Government and the LTA are working together to refurbish thousands of courts across Great Britain, including here in Preston. These improved tennis facilities will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and maybe even discover the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu!’
So, if you’re itching to get back on the court or want to try your hand at tennis for the first time, head over to the Preston parks. The newly renovated tennis courts are waiting for you!