Agenda item

To support a new generation of tennis players at grass roots level and revive public use, the purpose of this report is to ensure tennis court provision is available at Wyndham Park in Grantham, with agreement to call upon Grantham’s Special Expense Area to set aside money to cover gate maintenance and a three-year sinking fund. 

Purpose of report

To ensure that a tennis court provision was available at Wyndham Park in Grantham, which in turn would support a new generation of tennis players at grass roots level. This was supported by the agreement to call upon Grantham’s Special Expense Area to set aside money to cover gate maintenance and a three-year sinking fund. It was recommended that refurbishment of the tennis court at Dysart Park was subject to consideration by Cabinet at a future meeting.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1. Provides delegated authority to the Director of Growth and Culture to enter into a 15-year leasehold agreement with Grantham Tennis Club in relation to the two tennis courts at Wyndham Park Grantham.

2. Provides delegated authority to the S151 Officer to accept the offer of 100% grant funding, in the sum of approximately £57,000, from the Lawn Tennis Association to refurbish the two tennis courts in Wyndham Park Grantham.

3. Provides delegated authority to the S151 Officer to utilise money from the Grantham Special Expense Area to cover the sinking fund and gate maintenance costs for a three-year period amounting to £8,428.

4. Requests a review after twelve months from completion of the refurbishment at Wyndham Park Grantham, before proceeding into an agreement to refurbish the one tennis court in Dysart Park Grantham should match funding be made available.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Council could have provided the capital investment to undertake remedial work to the courts and continue to manage them as part of the parks service. However, given the current financial challenges the Council was facing, the opportunity to attract grant funding, and work in partnership with Grantham Tennis Club, was fiscally more prudent.

If no investment had been made into the two tennis courts in Wyndham Park, it may have been necessary to take these out of use in the near future. A removal of community facilities would have a reputational impact on the Council. It was for this reason that the ‘do nothing’ option had been discounted.

Reason for decision

The two tennis courts in Wyndham Park were coming towards the end of their operational life and could pose a health and safety risk soon if they were not refurbished. The refurbishment works identified represented a significant improvement and would provide enhanced opportunities for local residents and visitors which aligned with the Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy (2021-2026). It was also a key requirement in the Council’s investment plan to improve parks and open spaces.

In order to access the funding proposed from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), it would be necessary to enter a leasehold arrangement for the two tennis courts in Wyndham Park with Grantham Tennis Club.

The proposal from the LTA to fully fund the refurbishment investment required for the two courts at Wyndham Park as part of a phased approach would provide much needed investment for the two courts most in need of renewal. The funding provided by the LTA would help with the upgrade of surfaces and nets, as well as the installation of perimeter fencing and smart access to the courts. Grantham Tennis Club would promote the use of the courts to the public.

The opportunity existed to explore further funding for the tennis court in Dysart Park in twelve months’ time from the completion of the court refurbishment in Wyndham Park.

The following points were raised during discussion:

·         Thanks were given to the officers involved, in particular the Team Leader for Leisure and Open Spaces.

·         Securing 100% grant funding was welcomed and would help to support the physical activity of residents. It was hoped that further match funding would be achieved in future.