Tennis courts in Lowestoft set for major £374k refurbishment

Lowestoft Town Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has agreed a partnership that will "breathe new life into local park tennis courts" in Lowestoft.

The three tennis venues in Lowestoft set to benefit from refurbishment. Picture: Lowestoft Town Council (Image: Lowestoft Town Council)

It will see £374,000 of investment across Lowestoft Town Council’s three tennis court venues and public parks - with work starting next month.

The scheme to invest in and refurbish public park tennis courts will see three park tennis venues - at Normanston Park, Kensington Gardens and Denes Oval renovated - with the investment "ensuring quality facilities are available free of charge for all who live in and visit" the town.

Action from a previous Lowestoft tennis championships at Denes Oval in Lowestoft. Picture: Lowestoft Town Tennis Club (Image: Archant)

It is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to more people.

Nornmanston Park in Lowestoft (Image: Mick Howes)

In Lowestoft, a total of 16 tennis courts and eight pickleball courts at Normanston Park, Kensington Gardens and Denes Oval will be upgraded, including resurfacing works, new access gates and an online booking system - along with floodlights at Denes Oval only.

One of the entrances to Kensington Gardens in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

With £174,000 having been secured from the LTA/UK Government, Lowestoft Town Council is contributing around £200,000.

Alongside the investment in refurbishing the courts, Lowestoft Town Council will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activities across the venues.

Lowestoft Town Tennis Club. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

A town council spokesman said: "This will include weekly organised free park tennis sessions for all ages, to include provision of equipment and playing partners, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket to join in.

"Local tennis leagues will also be established to provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition."

Work on the three sites is "anticipated to start in February 2024 and be completed in the Spring," according to the town council.

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Mayor of Lowestoft, Sonia Barker. Picture: Charlotte McGuinness - Bishy Barnabee Photography (Image: Charlotte McGuinness - Bishy Barnabee Photography)

Mayor of Lowestoft and Chair of Lowestoft Town Council, Sonia Barker, said: "Securing this investment to refurbish our tennis courts and introduce free to all tennis participation across our park tennis venues is a real win for the Town Council and we welcome the opportunity to work with LTA in enhancing tennis provision to increase inclusion and participation.

"As a Town Council we are keen to ensure our substantial leisure assets are enjoyed by all and support us in achieving increased levels of physical activity in our communities, leading to improved health and wellbeing for Lowestoft residents."

Julie Porter, chief operating officer at the LTA, said: "We are delighted to be working with Lowestoft Town Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active.

"We will also be working closely with Lowestoft Town Council to ensure that the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, and open up our sport to many more people."