Positive Progress towards Saving our Tennis Courts

You will be pleased to know that whilst we have all been making good use of our open spaces there has been progress in saving public tennis courts. There have been a number of successes: • This petition was started to ask that all tennis users are communicated with on proposals that effect the future of tennis in our city and through this petition and wider circulation that was achieved • That alternative proposals be considered rather than the single option the council had under review, we submitted our own proposal and this was accepted. • Our proposal concluded, after a huge amount of research, that the best way to manage our tennis courts was to lean on the wide experience across the country and the many successful models that existed. Last week councillors advised that they will not accept the proposals provided and will look at the options once again. At the ETS council meeting the council officer present advised they would look to the governing body (LTA) for direction based on their experience across the country. The LTA have advised that alongside revisiting the proposals submitted they asked the council to consider: 1. Open up the city-wide opportunity to other interested groups such as local/community and professional organisations. 2. Split the sites (potentially working under one umbrella group as per a) above and open up a new tender process. Having spent many months looking at the options this aligns with the conclusion of our proposal on the best way to secure the future of the city’s tennis courts. There may be many more twists and turns but this shows an opportunity for the council to recognise the valuable tennis asset they have and how it can be turned into a sustainable model for the benefit of the entire city’s residents now and long into the future. Join our Facebook page TAFE below to find out more: