Wimbledon may be over for another year, but Woking Park’s tennis courts are set for an ace refurbishment, subject to call-in, following a decision by elected members at last week’s Executive (Thursday 12 July) meeting.

Plans to refurbish Woking Park’s tennis courts will be completed in two phases. The first will see the resurfacing of five courts and construction of safe and secure fencing, the installation of a new gate access system and a new easy-to-use online booking facility. Whilst the second phase will see, subject to planning consent, the installation of floodlights to enable year-round use of the tennis courts.

These improvements are aimed at increasing participation and engagement in tennis.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has identified Woking as a priority area for tennis development in the south east due to its demographic, the park’s central location and local demand, as well as the successful development of a park tennis coaching programme with Woking Park Tennis. Therefore, the LTA is funding up to 50 per cent of the first phase of refurbishment works with the potential for further funding towards the second phase of the project. 

Cllr Colin Kemp, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, said: “Working in partnership with the LTA, this project will firmly place Woking Park’s tennis courts in an elite minority, offering first-class facilities to local residents.

“The fully refurbished and floodlit courts that would enable year-round play will create an inviting environment that we hope will increase tennis participation with both existing and future players, whilst helping to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. This investment is not only good for our residents, but provides yet more great sporting and leisure facilities for community use and, you never know, it could also benefit British tennis too.”

It is anticipated that the first phase of refurbishment works to the tennis courts will commence in autumn 2018, with phase two, subject to planning consent, beginning in spring 2019.