The council has informed us they are working with the Lawn Tennis Association (“LTA”) on a borough wide tennis court improvement programme. LTA are providing grant funding to improve several courts including the ones at Harold Wood Park. This will involve resurfacing, marking and installing new gates.
Works are starting on the 1st August and are expected to finish by the 18th September. During this time the courts will be closed. The council will put signage on the courts informing people of this and also where the nearest open courts are. When the courts reopen, they will have to be booked online via the LTA ‘Clubspark’ system. This along with the overall management of the courts will be with an external operator and the council are currently working on the procurement of this new arrangement. Charges for court hire will be introduced with regular opportunities for free sessions.
While I welcome any improvement to the tennis courts as some really need it, this looks like another opportunity for the council to make money. They are community courts and they should remain free to use and open to all, not bookable via an app. Residents are paying enough in council tax, no need for another fee. The beauty of this was that you were able to show up, no booking needed. And how about the people that do not have the app, phone, Internet, etc.
So when you turn up to play and no court is available, then what?
The notice says use Haynes park courts; did this once but the diggers are now in there as well. Rise park courts were available on Friday just gone, but there are in a very poor condition. As an over 70 year old, I’m hoping I’ll get a consessionry, or no charge. Just turning up on a Friday morning has been fun, but expect we’ll get arguments now about whoes turn is it.i don’t have a smart phone, so can’t play that game.Never mind; we shall see. A bought a £850 Slingerbag tennis machine, to keep me active; shame if I can’t use it, as, on a pension, not likely I can afford weekly fees.
What a shame another free amenity lost to the community. How many people will pay And how often will it be used. Space going to waste. And in all likelihood canalised because people can’t just use it as and when. ????