The courts have undergone extensive refurbishment work to ensure they can be used for years to come, including resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, nets and posts and new gate systems.Tennis courts in Albany Park, Arnos Park, Craig Park, Durants Park, Enfield Town Park, Grovelands Park, Hazelwood Recreation Ground, Jubilee Park, North Enfield Recreation Ground, Oakwood Park, Ponders End Recreation Ground and Pymmes Park have all benefited from this investment.A new tennis operator to Enfield - Georgians Tennis in the Parks – is now operating the courts across the 12 locations, keeping them well maintained, tidy and running activities for all levels and abilities.
The refurbishment of the courts has been funded by Enfield Council and the UK government, and supported by the LTA Tennis Foundation.
An official Barclays Big Tennis Weekend launch event took place on 7 September where Georgians and Enfield Council offered free tennis sessions at Albany Park’s newly refurbished courts.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces, Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu, launched the new courts alongside representatives from the LTA, emphasising the Council’s ambition that sport should be available to all residents, regardless of age or background.
Cllr Anyanwu, said: “This has been an extensive programme of renovation and we’d like to thank everyone involved. It’s certainly been worth the wait and we have beautiful tennis courts across the borough for residents to use.
“We know that local people want to have the opportunity to get active and we are proud to have worked with the LTA to provide these fantastic facilities to make tennis more accessible.
“The LTA, Enfield Council and Georgians Tennis in the Parks will work together to ensure that as part of our package of activities, free park tennis sessions will be available on the courts providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play.”
Enfield’s park tennis courts are free to use Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm. Georgians will also be offering Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions with volunteers, known as Tennis Activators. More details will be available soon.
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Enfield 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.”
All courts will be available to book via the LTA website. New booking systems and gate access technology mean it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability. Small fees will ensure the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come.
Through the Parks Tennis Project, the LTA is delivering the biggest ever investment in parks’ tennis facilities across Britain. This nationwide programme of investment is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country, providing vital opportunities for children and adults to get active.