Oxstalls Tennis Centre has unveiled four brand new synthetic clay courts thanks to support from the Lawn Tennis Association – the first of their kind in this country.
These courts have also been fitted with floodlights to ensure it’s possible to play tennis all year round.
The work was made possible thanks to a grant in the region of £125,000 from the LTA, with support from Sport England, and a further £41,943 made available through the council.
The centre, named Club of the Year by the LTA in 2011, will also be completing a refurbishment of the changing rooms and toilet facilities over the coming months, to provide modern up to date facilities for the customers.
Gordon Aitken, Operations Manager for Oxstalls Tennis Centre, said: “The support from the LTA will allow Aspire to expand their programme for children and adults to increase participation all year round.”
Tom Harlow Development Director for the LTA, who was on hand to open the facility, added: “Oxstalls was already a fantastic facility before the addition of these courts, now it is even better and that is only a good thing for the people of Gloucestershire.
“There are a lot of people who have worked tirelessly to get the tennis centre into such a great position and it’s brilliant to see their efforts rewarded with the instalment of top-class facilities and the chance to play tennis all year round.”
LTA Facilities Project Manager Colin Corline added: “The club are Clubmark accredited with a membership that is increasing year on year.
“The financial investment in a new playing surface by the club, with assistance from the LTA and Sport England, will ensure that they retain and attract members as well as allowing them to remain financially sustainable.”
The club had a double celebration as David Rockett, secretary for Gloucestershire LTA, was presented with the meritorious award from the LTA for his work for Gloucestershire County LTA and National LTA Councillor.
David has contributed to tennis for the past thirty five years and was instrumental in the negotiations for building Oxstalls Tennis Centre.
The funding for the project has been provided as part of British Tennis’ facilities strategy which has received substantial investment from Sport England. This makes an important contribution to the drive to increase tennis opportunities for people to participate, compete and get access to coaching at all levels of the game in communities nationwide.
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 new facilities at Oxstalls Tennis Centre will offer even more accessibility for its members and encourage more people from the local community to get involved in the sport.”
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.
For more information about Oxstalls Tennis Centre, visit http://www.aspiretrust.org.uk/oxstalls-tennis-centre
To find a playing partner, a local court or coach, register at www.allplaytennis.com