Ayscoughfee tennis courts set for £120,000 renovation
Posted on 7 June 2023
Popular tennis courts in Ayscoughfee Gardens in Spalding are set to undergo transformative refurbishment work, thanks to a partnership between South Holland District Council and the LTA.
A total of £120,000 will be invested to fully renovate the courts to provide quality facilities to the local community, with £100,000 coming from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, supported by a £20,000 investment by South Holland District Council.
Work will include resurfacing, painting and new fences and gate for the courts, as well as new nets and markings to help improve the experience for players.
New access technology and online booking system through the LTA website will also be installed to help with the security and fair use of the courts, allowing people to secure their place in advance and minimise access for non-playing activity or anti-social behaviour.
Work is expected to get underway in June, with on-site work taking place before a need to allow the fresh tarmac to cure before painting and finishing touches can be applied. The courts are due to be completed and reopen to the public for the summer holidays.
During the renovations the Love Lane Gate to Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens will be closed to avoid disruption to the works, with residents and visitors encouraged to use the churchyard access instead during this period.
When re-opened a small fee will be reintroduced to secure bookings of the courts, to be used to support the ongoing maintenance of the facilities. The Council is also working with LTA to expand the provision on offer to residents, including regular weekly free sessions, local leagues, access to equipment for those without their own rackets or tennis balls, and season passes for those looking to use the courts regularly.
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, helping children and adults to get active whilst delivering significant physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits to participants.
Councillor Tracey Carter, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing, said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to improve and hopefully widen the use of these courts, which are a great way for residents and visitors to get outdoors and get active together.
"Ayscoughfee already has a fantastic amount to offer, including the beautiful gardens, the fascinating history of the Hall and the brilliant Café. This significant investment can help to add state-of-the-art tennis facilities to that offer and help secure its place as a real jewel in the crown for South Holland."
Councillor Henry Bingham, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning, said: "It is great news that we have been able to secure yet another piece of significant government funding for South Holland, building on our recent programme of investment to improve some of our key facilities and assets across the District, as well as our commitment to the flagship £20 million Levelling Up project at the Castle Sports Centre.
"We want to make sure that these works can have a lasting impact for our communities, and have worked closely with the LTA to ensure we have a plan that will open them up to the widest range of people possible, whilst ensuring their maintenance and quality for many years to come."
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: "We are delighted to be working with South Holland District 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 South Holland District 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."
Stuart Andrew MP, Sports Minister, said: "We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation's physical and mental health.
"The Government and the LTA are working together to deliver thousands of refurbished courts across Great Britain, supported by £30 million of investment including in South Holland.
"These improved tennis facilities at Ayscoughfee Gardens will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu."
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The LTA is the National Governing Body of tennis for Great Britain. We are here to govern and grow tennis, from grassroots participation through to the professional game. Our vision is "Tennis Opened Up" and we're on a mission to grow tennis by making it relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable. We work with schools, with volunteers, with coaches and with venues across the whole country. We also represent the interests of over 1,000,000 Members, men and women, girls and boys, playing on more than 23,000 courts. For further information about the LTA and tennis in Britain, visit www.lta.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @the_LTA.