Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have announced a partnership to invest in and refurbish public tennis courts in Epsom & Ewell.

The LTA will provide £26,650 to invest in 12 tennis courts at Auriol Park, Alexandra Recreation Ground, Court Recreation Ground, Gibraltar Recreation Ground and Poole Road Recreation Ground.

The courts will benefit from gate access technology, a new online booking platform and court improvements which will ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community. 

Alongside the investment, the council and local coach providers will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activity across the park sites. This will include weekly, free tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competitions.

As part of the LTA’s Parks Investment Programme, the council will introduce a new ‘pay as you play’ scheme across all tennis courts in the borough in April. All income raised from the scheme will be reinvested into the borough’s tennis facilities to ensure future sustainability of tennis in parks.

The project is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many 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.

Cllr John Beckett, Chair of the Environment Committee said:

“The partnership between the LTA and the council is extremely good news for the tennis facilities in the borough. Their investment and the move to a ‘pay as you play’ scheme will ensure that the courts are maintained and improved into the future.

“The tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for residents to get active and improve both their physical and mental health. The planned free coaching sessions will provide an opportunity to bring new people to the sport from all ages, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds.”

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said:

“We are delighted to be working with Epsom & Ewell Borough 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 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 Epsom & Ewell Borough 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.”

 

FAQs

Why has EEBC partnered with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)?

The project is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many 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.

Why do people need to pay to use the courts?

It is important that park tennis courts are sustainable and money can be set aside for repair and maintenance, to ensure courts do not fall into disrepair in the years ahead, and are available for generations to come. All income generated will be going back into the improvement of the facilities with a priority of improving the courts at Gibraltar Recreation Ground and Poole Road Recreation Ground first.

How much will it cost?

A range of payment options will be available for people to get on court, including an individual court hire fee and an affordable season pass. The costs for users who will book are:

Ad-hoc Cost Per Hour All Courts	£6.00
Additional Cost Per Hour for Floodlights	£6.00
Annual Household Subscription	£40.00
Annual Household Subscription for those in receipt of low-income benefits	£20.00

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

How will people be able to book the courts?

All sites will be available to book online including via the LTA website www.lta.org.uk/play. A QR code will also be on the gate to the court will also allow individuals to book a court on arrival, if available. 

Why has gate access technology been installed?

Evidence from sites across the country is that installing gate access technology actually increases participation, as people can book a court online in advance, and know it will definitely be available when they arrive. It also means that free tennis sessions and coaching can be scheduled on the courts at specific times. Gate access technology also helps reduce anti-social behaviour and vandalism.