Anyone for tennis?

Facilities for the summer game in Worcester could get a serious revamp if the city council’s plans come off.

Councillors will vote on whether to start work on a bid to the Lawn Tennis Association to mend and upgrade courts in Cripplegate Park and Gheluvelt Park.

If successful the project could see: four newly surfaced full size courts in Cripplegate Park with a fifth adult court also providing four junior courts for mini tennis. Two courts in Gheluvelt Park could be resurfaced, there could be up to four floodlit courts available for community use in Nunnery Wood and perhaps even four indoor courts.

The city council wants to use £50,000 paid to it by County Hall as part of the roadworks on New Road and to bid for the same amount from the LTA. That would provide half of the £200,000 cost of the project.

Worcester City Council will then find the rest of the money itself, and it is forming a Worcester Tennis Network with schools, tennis clubs and the University of Worcester to help get the plan off the ground

Jon Bradshaw, joint founder of Worcester Tennis Academy He said: “I think this is a fantastic idea.

“Lots of people start playing at public courts, but if they’re not in good condition, then it can put you off trying to play.

“Tennis clubs are run by volunteers and they needs membership fees to be able to continue, and they’re not very expensive for what you can get out of it, but you need to already have an enthusiasm for the game before you’re likely to join.

Jon, who runs the academy at Worcester lawn tennis Club with business partner Nick Aylett added: “Being able to play on a good well-surfaced public court for free or for a low fee is a good way for people to get to enjoy the game and then take it further. I think this will be good for tennis in Worcestershire.”

The bid will be discussed at the city council’s Environment Committee meeting starting at 7pm on Tuesday March 15 at the Guildhall.