Funding for improvements to tennis courts worth around half a million pounds have been approved by Bridgend council.
Seven tennis courts across the county borough will be improved - while two new ones will be built. The proposal was approved unanimously at a cabinet meeting on March 14. The tennis courts that will be refurbished will be three at Maesteg Welfare Park, two at Heol-y-Cyw Playing Fields in Bridgend and two at Caedu Park, in Ogmore Vale.
The new courts being built are at Griffin Park in Porthcawl - replacing the two existing ones, which are set to be demolished as part of the new sea-front development. Cash for the projects comes via £328,000 from the UK Government and Lawn Tennis Association's Park Tennis Project, and £191,000 from the local authority.
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Council bosses in Bridgend were asked to grant a change in the terms and conditions of their Community Asset Transfer fund, allowing it to be used for match funding which would not have previously met the criteria.
Council leader Huw David said: "We've made big strides now in terms of the sport being a very inclusive sport, open to people of all backgrounds, ages, genders and identities, and this is very much part of that effort by the Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Wales to encourage more people to participate in this sport."
Cabinet member for regeneration Neelo Farr said while the grant would not go towards refurbishing the courts in Porthcawl's Griffin Park, it would help honour the commitment made by the authority to replace them.
She said: "Griffin Park was part of the regeneration plans. We made a commitment that we were going to replace the tennis courts in Griffin Park so this funding will go towards keeping that promise."
The desicion follows the announcement of a major new tennis centre and swimming pool that has also been approved in Bridgend at Island Farm, Ewenny Road. You can read more of our stories from Bridgend here or subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
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