Croydon’s council-owned tennis courts are now reopening, after a £600,000 investment.
Croydon partnered with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to revive 32 courts across 14 parks – with playing conditions now greatly improved for those looking to enjoy a game of tennis.
Many of the sites have had resurfacing, new fencing and nets installed to bring them up to standard, while all courts will have a gate-access system to keep them secure and to deter antisocial behaviour. The courts can be pre-booked via the LTA Play Tennis website.
The improvements are part of Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priority to make Croydon a safer, healthier place to live, and to give residents access to good leisure facilities in their local communities.
The project was made possible with £623,932.45 of funding as part of the LTA’s Park Tennis Project, and £66,723 of capital funding from Croydon Council.
Through the Parks Tennis Project, the LTA is delivering a £30m nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation to refurbish public tennis courts and open the sport to many more people across Britain.
A charge of £5 per session has been introduced, which will be ring-fenced and reinvested to keep the courts well-maintained for the future. GLL will also offer free court sessions at various times throughout the week. The council is working with court operators GLL and the LTA to offer a tennis coaching programme.
GLL, Croydon Council and the LTA will also be working together to deliver Free Park Tennis. These are free, social tennis sessions on weekend mornings at 10am delivered by volunteers with equipment provided. The sessions are open to all – no matter your age, background or ability – and aimed at encouraging people to try tennis.
To support this, the council, LTA and GLL want to encourage Croydon residents who might want to deliver these sessions. This is an opportunity for residents to learn new skills, gain confidence and to help others to get involved in a healthy and fun sport. More information can be found on the LTA’s Free Park Tennis webpage.
The courts will also host local tennis leagues to encourage more people in Croydon to take up tennis, enjoy healthy competition and improve physical and mental wellbeing.
The sites being reopened are: Ashburton Park, Addiscombe Rec, Upper Norwood Rec, South Norwood Rec, Park Hill, Wandle Park, Biggin Woods, Rickman Hill, Coulsdon Memorial Ground, Shirley Church, Grangewood Park and Trumble Gardens.
South Norwood Lakes remains closed until works are completed and Purley Beeches remains open and is scheduled for refurbishment soon.
Many parks have reopened with temporary lines painted. They will close temporarily at various intervals in the spring to be fully repainted when the weather allows.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “Our partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association is delivering opportunities for residents across the borough to get involved. This is a major boost for sport and leisure in Croydon – and will help to make Croydon a healthier place to live. I hope residents take the opportunity to take advantage of these brilliant new facilities and enjoy a game of tennis.”
David Hughes, Partnership Manager for GLL in Croydon, said: “We are delighted to see this joint government and LTA Tennis Foundation investment in Croydon’s public tennis courts managed and operated by GLL as part of our successful leisure partnership with Croydon Council. Smart, new, good quality, accessible facilities are key to getting people taking up tennis in the first place and then enjoying it year round. This reopening promises a real boost to physical activity levels in the borough and we can’t wait to show them off.”
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Croydon officially back open to the public, and in better shape than ever. Public tennis courts are such vital facilities for getting active and we want as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”
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 £30m of investment including in Croydon.
“These improved tennis facilities in Croydon will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu.”
