Tennis courts will return to a Workington park.
Work is due to start on the courts in Vulcan Park next month after the town council and Cumberland Council were successful in their bid to the Government and LTA Tennis Foundation’s £30m Park Tennis Project.
It is hoped the project, which was awarded £86,000, will be complete by May.
The total cost of the new courts is £126,000, with each of the authorities contributing £20,000/
The new courts will be on the site of the old courts, which currently has a mini-tennis net, panna court and basketball hoops installed.
The equipment will be stored until suitable alternative locations are found, the town council said.
Vulcan Park is 100 years old in June and the town council said it was delighted to be able to bring back a modernised tennis facility to Workington.
Users will be able to book the courts online or through the Workington Town Council offices and will be operated by a coded gate system. There will be a small charge to use the courts and full details will be released once installation is complete.
Workington mayor Neil Schofield said: “What an exciting opportunity for the town. Many of our community still talk about the old tennis courts in the park and how they would like to see them re-instated; we are delighted that we are able to fulfil this wish for them.”
Councillor Michael Heaslip, chair of the council’s environment committee, added: “The importance of physical activity is paramount to encouraging a healthy lifestyle and positive wellbeing.
“The tennis courts will provide a much-needed facility within our town to allow people to be active but also to enjoy the social and competitive aspect of sports. We are already in contact with local clubs and coaches and we are excited for what the future holds.”
Cumberland Council member Anne Quilter, portfolio holder for vibrant and healthy places, added: “Health and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do and supporting the installation of new quality facilities is an important way to encourage our residents to get active. We are delighted to support this project and look forward to seeing the courts being used.”
