Six tennis courts in Ayr have been given a makeover in a bid to find Scotland’s next Andy Murray.
A multi-agency partnership ploughed cash into the Ayr Fort Tennis Courts, in Ayr’s Montgomerie Terrace, to bring the courts back into use. And the new-look facilities look set to be a ‘net winner.’
The revamp follows a joint investment by the UK Government, the LTA Tennis Foundation, together with South Ayrshire Council’s Coastal Communities Fund, Barr Environmental, through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, and Prestwick Tennis and Fitness.
Prestwick Tennis and Fitness, as long-term operators of the courts, will host tennis activities for people of all abilities, backgrounds and ages.
Councillor Brian Connolly, Sport and Leisure Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council, said: “The refurbishment of these courts is great news and makes this exciting sport even more accessible. We will be working with Prestwick Tennis and Fitness and the LTA with the aim of getting more young people into tennis and to ensure that anyone who wants to have a go has the opportunity to do that.”
A total of £90,024.51 was invested in the courts as 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.
Councillor Martin Kilbride, Buildings, Housing and Environment Portfolio Holder for the Council, said: “I am delighted we have been able to work in partnership with the LTA and Prestwick Tennis and Fitness to bring these courts up to a top-quality standard. Boosting health and wellbeing within our communities is a key ambition for the council, so having sporting facilities which are fit for purpose is crucial.”
An additional £65,000 was also invested by South Ayrshire Council’s Coastal Communities Fund, Barr Environmental, through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund and Prestwick Tennis and Fitness, bringing the total investment locally to £155,024.51.
Alongside the investment, South Ayrshire Council and Prestwick Tennis and Fitness will work with the LTA to deliver a range of activities across the park sites. All courts will be available to book via the LTA website and Prestwick Tennis and Fitness will charge the general public £5 per court for 30 minutes.
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “We’re delighted to see park tennis courts in South Ayrshire 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 to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis.”
Stuart Andrew MP, UK Government Sports Minister, said: “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 Ayrshire.
“These improved Ayr Fort Tennis Courts 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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