‘Serve-ay’ for tennis players in Plymouth
Tennis players of all ages and abilities are being asked for their thoughts on tennis courts in parks across the city.
Plymouth City Council is working with the Lawn Tennis Association on plans to encourage people to pick up a racket and play more often.
The two organisations have paired up to work together to research and consider investment into courts within Plymouth’s parks. The aim is to bring more people onto them and they are launching a survey to find out what people think.
Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, Housing and Planning said: “Tennis is a great way for people to enjoy the outdoors, to build up their fitness and stamina and to socialise.
“Most people who play occasionally go to their local park, but some of these courts need money spent on them. We’re keen to improve the quality and quantity of tennis facilities here in Plymouth in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association as part of its recently launched strategy – Transforming British Tennis Together.
“We think there is a great case for investment in Plymouth park tennis facilities but want to hear what people in Plymouth think, whether they are occasional users or committed enthusiasts.”
The LTA and the Council have a conducted some initial work to show the need and demand to increase and improve the city’s facilities. UK wide tennis research has shown:
• Most people who play tennis in the UK do so in parks
• For those that don’t play tennis but would like to, 80 per cent would go to a park court first.
• For people who do and want to play tennis in parks, they are most dissatisfied with state and condition of courts, ease of booking and the number of courts available to play.
• Demand for tennis is strong a choice for physical activity and healthy lifestyle.
The LTA and the Council have been working together for some years and have previously invested in court resurfacing at Devonport Park, Harewood Park (Plympton) and Verna Road, St Budeaux Tennis Club. The partners have also invested in a Council tennis apprentice, ‘Street Games and Tennis for Free’ as well as grant funding ‘Play Tennis’ applications.
Georgina Loosemore of the LTA Participation Team said: “We are keen to build on some great work in Plymouth in recent years and develop the right tennis facilities to meet the needs of the people of Plymouth. As we develop this work, it’s important to understand the views of the local people.”
To take part in the survey visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/tenniscourts The survey will end on 26 February.
