New Tennis Court Redevelopment Gets The Green Light

Hull City Council, in partnership with Hull Culture and Leisure, has secured over £106,000 for a new tennis court facility and a hard surface playing area at Costello Playing Fields in Hull.

Following a successful bid to the Lawn Tennis Association for funding of £106,626, with an additional £60,000 being provided from the Council’s West Area Committee, a condemned former tennis court area in the park will now receive a new lease of life.

Councillor Terry Geraghty, Hull City Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure and Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure Limited is delighted, he said:

“This is fantastic news for the city. The four floodlit tennis courts will improve access and participation to the sport bringing tennis onto people’s doorsteps when more people are participating in the sport.

“This is an exciting project especially when the British great Andy Murray has had an amazing year and is now ranked number one in the world rankings.”

Funding from the West Area Committee highlights the commitment and need for the sport facilities, Chair of the West Area Committee, Councillor Ruth Payne, said:

“I know residents in the area will be pleased to see the facility back in use. Many residents have raised with local councillors how frustrated they were that the tennis court had fallen into a state of disrepair, so it is great news to have them in use again for use. Tennis is a great way for all ages to keep fit or simply having fun.”

Paul Sheard, Lawns Tennis Association Regional Tennis Participation Manager, said:

“We are delighted to be able to provide significant funding to support the refurbishment of the tennis courts at Costello Playing Fields. There is currently a severe shortage of public tennis facilities in Hull and the regeneration of the courts will ensure that people in Hull can access tennis facilities at an affordable price.

“We are really looking forward to growing the number people playing tennis in the city once the new courts open next year.”

Hull Culture and Leisure, in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association and with support from the West Area Committee, developed the proposals for the new facility and conducted consultation that found:

• 75 per cent of respondents would like to play more tennis
• 86 per cent of respondents cited access to a local facility as the main reason that would enable people to play more tennis
• 73 per cent of respondents would use the facility if it was built

In addition in the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy it has been identified that 41 per cent of residents perceived there to be shortfall of provision of tennis facilities. This was the highest of all sports.

The tendering process will now begin with construction due to start early 2017, it is hoped this new facility will completed in spring 2017.