A family-friendly launch event to celebrate the revamp of Penrith’s tennis courts is going ahead later this month.
The event will take place on Sunday 24 September and will feature free, family-friendly tennis activities as well as a first look at the four new courts in Castle Park.
Taking place between 10am and 12.30pm free coaching will also be on offer for all ages and abilities and rackets and balls will be provided.
As well as providing ‘Pay & Play’ court bookings, and weekly free park tennis sessions, the courts will also provide a new permanent home for Penrith Tennis Club.
The courts will be open from 7am to 10pm year round, with new movement sensor lighting on the park footways and court lighting allowing for play on darker mornings and evenings.
Access to the courts will be controlled via a smart gate and passcode.
The court renovations were made possible by joint funding from Westmorland and Furness Council, Sport England, Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust, The Hadfield Trust, Penrith Tennis Club, Penrith Town Council, and the Lawn Tennis Association’s Tennis Foundation and UK Government as part of the Parks Tennis Project.
It is part of a £30 million nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to transform thousands of park tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people.
Penrith Tennis Club will work with the LTA to deliver weekly Free Park Tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience.
Equipment is provided so players will not need someone to play with or to own a racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition.
The courts will open for Pay & Play from Monday 25 September, which is £6 per court per hour or free with annual memberships.
The weekly Free Park Tennis sessions will start on Saturday 30 September.
Rob Cresswell, Penrith Tennis Club Chairman, said: “We are very grateful to all the funders that have made this project possible, as their support has made a substantial and truly significant impact on the provision for tennis in Penrith.
“The support of Eden District Council and now Westmorland and District Council has also been fundamental to ensure the success of the project.
“We are delighted to have secured the future of tennis for both the Club and the public in Penrith for many years to come and will be pleased to welcome new members to enjoy these excellent new facilities.”
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, added that the organisation is delighted to be working with Westmorland and Furness Council to improve tennis facilities.
She added: “This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project, and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come.
“We will also be working closely with the Council to ensure that the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, and open up our sport to many more people.”
