A Derbyshire tennis club is to save four outdoor courts from disrepair after receiving thousands of pounds from the Lawn Tennis Association.
The playing surfaces at the Rutland Sports Park, in Ilkeston, have been derelict for more than five years after they were deemed to be unsafe.
But Stanton Tennis Club, whose members play winter tennis at the indoor centre at the park, have stepped in to revive them.
Last year, the club agreed a 21-year lease with Erewash Borough Council for the four courts and it now plans to make the venue its home.
Stanton confirmed they had received £63,083 from the Lawn Tennis Association and that work on the courts would start over the next two months.
Members are hoping to have them ready in time for the start of the outdoor tennis season in April and have said the grant from the sport's governing body in Great Britain is "fantastic news to start 2012".
Club member and project manager Mark Hancock said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to bring a wonderful facility back to the town and to get more people taking part in tennis.
"Our vision has always been to provide opportunities for the whole community to get involved with sport and the newly-renovated courts will help us try to increase participation in tennis in the area.
"It will also enable the expansion of the coaching programme that currently takes place at the indoor tennis centre.
"So, with the backing of the Lawn Tennis Association, we now have the chance to realise what we've been working towards for such a long time.
"Both the association and Erewash Borough Council have been incredibly supportive and we are looking forward to working with them in the coming months to make it a great success."
Stanton Tennis Club was established in the 1930s and was originally the tennis section of the Stanton Ironworks Sports and Social Club.
The non-profit making organisation said it is now the largest tennis club in Ilkeston and offers tennis for all ages and abilities, as well as a programme of professional coaching.
The outdoor courts they are renovating are made of macadam – an artificial surface which is a form of tarmac.
Along with members using them, the club also plan to allow some public access to the courts.
Paul Sheard, who is the Lawn Tennis Association Tennis Development Manager for Derbyshire and Leicestershire, said: "We are delighted that we have finally got the go-ahead to renovate the outdoor courts at Rutland Sports Park.
"We recognised a number of years ago the huge potential that exists at the site with the indoor tennis centre.
"But we needed to bring the outdoor courts back to good condition to make it a flourishing overall venue.
"We need to thank club members Mark Hancock and Tony Buck for all the hard work they have put into the project.
"We've had a few setbacks along the way but we can, hopefully, now provide some quality outdoor tennis courts and a vibrant tennis club for the people of Ilkeston."
The club said the renovation was part of its Project 2012 – the aim by members to bring outdoor tennis back to Ilkeston during the year of the London Olympic Games.
For more information about the club or Project 2012, e-mail Hancock at mark@stanton-tennis.co.uk, Buck at tony@stanton-tennis.co.uk or visit www.stanton-tennis.co.uk.