Four tennis courts reopen after nearly £280K refurbishment

Four tennis courts have reopened to the public following £279,114 of refurbishments funded by the council, central government and the governing body of tennis in Britain, the LTA.

The opening of four Lewisham tennis courts was marked by a ceremony at the site one of the refurbished courts, Chinbrook Meadows, off Amblecote Road, on Saturday.

The event was attended by Councillor Andre Bourne, cabinet member for culture and leisure, along with representatives from the LTA.

Residents were given the opportunity to pick up a racket and get on court for a range of free sessions run by the South East London Tennis group.

The three other tennis courts in Lewisham that have now reopened are Ladywell Fields, at the Catford Bridge station end, Hilly Fields and Telegraph Hill.

All four have undergone works including resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, new nets and posts and new gate access systems.

Lewisham council and South East London Tennis, the coaching provider of the tennis programme across the parks, will work with the LTA to deliver a range of activities across the park sites.

This will include weekly free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided – this means that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket.

Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly and sociable opportunities to get active.

This is the latest phase of the Park Tennis Project, a nationwide programme of investment which is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life.

Julie Porter, chief operating officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Lewisham 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.”

Picture: Cllr Andre Bourne with representatives from the LTA, South East London Tennis group and residents at the ceremony on Saturday (Picture: Tariq Chaudry)