A substantial injection of funding has been designated for the restoration of tennis courts in parks throughout Peterborough. This initiative, supported by the government, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and the city council, will allocate £120,000 to renovate six public park courts by the upcoming summer season.
The Friends of Central Park, a community group responsible for overseeing the park, have expressed their enthusiasm for this much-needed investment. They are pleased to see the refurbishment of the four courts at Central Park and two at Itter Park, as it has been long overdue. Additionally, two disused courts at Central Park will be repurposed as basketball courts, diversifying the range of sporting facilities available.
The financing for this endeavour comes from various sources, with the government and LTA Tennis Foundation contributing £100,000, and the city council providing £20,000. This signifies a concerted effort to encourage more individuals to become involved in tennis, and ultimately lead more active lifestyles.
As part of the refurbishment, the four courts at Central Park will undergo resurfacing, while the two at Itter Park will be repainted and fitted with new fencing. Furthermore, smart gates will be installed at both locations, allowing users to easily book courts and activities.
To maintain the momentum and interest in tennis, the city council will collaborate with a tennis operator to offer activities across the sites, including free weekly sessions for individuals of all ages. This move aims to make the sport more accessible to different communities and ultimately increase participation.
Tony Foster, the chair of the Friends of Central Park, expressed his satisfaction with the investment, emphasizing the positive impact it will have. He highlighted that the transformation of the courts will make tennis more accessible to a wider range of people and expressed excitement about the additional sporting activities that will be available due to the conversion of two unused tennis courts into basketball courts.
Saqib Farooq, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for adults and health, reiterated the council’s commitment to providing high-quality public sports facilities. This project aligns with their dedication to offering top-notch amenities for the residents of Peterborough.
Julie Porter, the chief operating officer at the LTA, conveyed their delight in being able to enhance the tennis facilities, providing ample opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and engage in physical activity.
This upgrade, which sees a significant investment in Peterborough’s parks, demonstrates a concerted effort to promote physical activity and community engagement. The refurbishment of the tennis courts, along with the addition of basketball courts, is a positive step towards catering to the diverse sporting needs of the local population.