IT WAS more than just new balls at Victoria Park tennis court in Leamington.
The courts have reopened after a £111,716 renovation managed by the LTA and Warwick District Council, with funding by the government and LTA Tennis Foundation.
And there were free ‘turn up and play’ tennis sessions for all ages to celebrate at the weekend.
The sessions were held at Victoria Park as well as other WDC owned tennis facilities at Christchurch Gardens in Leamington and St Nicholas Park in Warwick.
LTS qualified coaches were on hand to help players brush up on their skills and dignitaries including Coun Kate Hunt and Coun Robert Margrave from WDC and Sherrie Meeking and Colin Mercer from the Warwickshire LTA also joined in a volley or two.
Renovation work completed includes resurfacing, floodlighting, nets and posts and a new gate system.
Coun Hunt, WDC’s leisure spokeswoman, said: “We know how popular and well-used all of these courts are for those who enjoy the game of tennis. We are therefore delighted that thanks to a significant investment from the LTA, we can offer local people year-round access to these high-class facilities, opening them up for even more groups and individuals to take up the sport.”
LTA spokeswoman Julie Porter added: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Warwick District Council 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.”
