Library image
Five public tennis courts at West Beach in Whitstable have reopened after a £56,000 refurbishment. The courts have been resurfaced, relined, and equipped with new nets and fencing.
This project, part of the Parks Tennis Project, was funded by the UK government and carried out by the LTA and Canterbury City Council.
The courts can now be booked via the LTA website for £7 an hour, with a new booking system ensuring availability. The council is seeking an operator to manage the courts, aiming to have one in place by autumn.
Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions will be offered, and residents can volunteer as activators through free online training. The courts will also host community coaching and local tennis leagues.
Cllr Mel Dawkins praised the project, highlighting its potential to inspire local talent. LTA COO Julie Porter emphasized the importance of public tennis courts for community activity. The project is part of a larger initiative to improve park tennis facilities across Britain, with £42,000 funded by the UK government and LTA Tennis Foundation, and £14,000 by the council. The courts were officially opened on September 6 by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury.