Buckhurst Hill LTC Opens New Floodlit Courts

The fllodlights were unveilved thanks to a joint investment from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and club contribution.
The club, now celebrating its centenary year, received a grant of £27,300 from the LTA as part of their drive to get more people – of all ages and abilities - playing the game.
The new floodlit playing area was officially opened by John Tucker, the President of Essex County LTA and Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Mrs Penny Smith, and will benefit all four grass courts at the site. The club, which has a strong member’s base, hopes to attract more people to the facility by offering enhanced access and longer playing hours all year round.
Mrs Penny Smith, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council said:
“This is fantastic news for the Buckhurst Hill Bowling and Tennis Club. The installation of the new floodlight system marks a new chapter in the club’s 100-year history. I am delighted to help officially open the new floodlit courts which I hope will encourage more people in the area to get involved in the sport."
John Tucker, President of Essex County LTA attended the official opening and said:
“Thanks to Sport England’s support we were delighted to be able to provide Buckhurst Hill Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club with this investment. The installation of floodlights on outdoor courts across the country is essential for increasing playing hours and boosting regular participation in tennis. Improving and increasing facilities for the whole community is central to the LTA’s overarching plan for British Tennis as we work to increase the number of people playing tennis, keep people in the game and support talented players to achieve their potential.”
Richard Lewis, Sport England’s Chair, said:
"It's vital that public funding for sport goes into facilities that meet the highest standards, are welcoming, and cater for everyone. That's how we’re going to get more people using them every day. The floodlights at the Buckhurst Hill Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club will offer better playing facilities for its members and encourage more people from the local community to get involved in the sport."
Work at the site was completed in December 2009 and plans to capitalise on the club’s new development are well underway. The club will host the South West Essex Floodlight Cup Tournament throughout March, run midweek club tournaments and offer free evening admission to the local community at an ‘Open Day’ in March in a bid to encourage more people to come down to the facility and play.
Buckhurst Hill Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club Chairman, Brian Smith commented:
“Having the floodlights at the club provides a fantastic opportunity to increase playing hours for all our members throughout the year. We provide a free social evening under the lights on a Wednesday night and the lights have proved popular now that the snow has gone from the courts!
“The help received from the LTA has been invaluable and we also had strong support from Epping Forest District Council. Without this support we would have struggled to get such a good and well managed installation. It is a fantastic start to our centenary year and will place the club in a good position to encourage new membership and keep the club moving forward into the future.”  
The funding has been provided as part of British Tennis’ Places to Play strategy which has received substantial investment from Sport England through its Whole Sport Plan funding for tennis. This makes a crucial contribution to tennis’ drive to increase the opportunities for people to participate, compete and get access to coaching at all levels of the game in communities nationwide.
The LTA makes financial support available through its resources and ensures investments will deliver the maximum return for British Tennis through more people playing and more hours on the court across Britain. There will be an increase in the number and standard of facilities nationwide which will be available to the whole community at a reasonable, affordable cost.