Tennis fans looking for somewhere to play a game or two can once again set up their match at Tredegar Park tennis courts.
The courts have reopened after a renovation to ensure their viability for future generations, including:
- A full refurbishment of the surface, which has also been repainted
- New nets, and perimeter fencing
- Installation of new lighting and a gate access system
The renovations have been delivered and funded in partnership by Newport City Council, Sport Wales, Tennis Wales, and the UK Government and the LTA Tennis Foundation, as part of the LTA’s Parks Tennis Project – a programme of nationwide investment into refurbishing public tennis courts. In total there has been an investment of £253,800 helping ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community.
The investment aims to bring thousands of existing park tennis courts back to life for the benefit of local communities across the UK, making it easier to find, book and get on a court.
All courts will be available to book via the LTA website as part of a new booking system. The new booking system means it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability.
Players can also book a court on the Newport Live and Tennis Wales websites. Courts in Beechwood and Belle Vue parks can also be booked through this system. Courts at Tredegar Park can be booked from £4.50 per hour – small fees will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come.
There will also be options to buy yearly passes to the courts. Courts at Beechwood and Belle Vue parks remain free to use.
As well as weekly Tennis for Free sessions, with equipment provided, the new courts will host local tennis leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social local competitions.
The LTA, council, Sport Wales and Tennis Wales will work alongside Newport Live, the council’s coaching provider, to provide free park tennis sessions on the courts, with equipment provided, ensuring regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play.
Councillor Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity, said:
“I’m delighted that we are now able to reopen the courts at Tredegar Park following completion of the renovation work
“We know that having access to good quality sports facilities is important to our residents. That is why we’re grateful to both our funding and delivery partners for coming together to help us deliver these improvements.
“This renovation work will provide more chances for people to be able to play tennis at their local court, and hopefully inspire people to pick up a racquet and play.”
Owen Hathway, assistant director for insight, policy and public affairs at Sport Wales, said:
Making sport accessible is vital to ensuring everybody has the opportunity to be active.
“Through our School Sport Survey, children and young people in Newport told us that they had a real demand for more opportunities to play tennis, so we were delighted to respond to that ambition with funding to help make that happen.”
Julie Porter, chief operating officer at the LTA, said:
“After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Newport officially back open to the public, and in better shape than ever.
“Public tennis courts are such vital facilities for getting active and we want as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”
Stuart Andrew MP, sports minister for the UK Government, said:
“We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.
“The government and the LTA are working together to deliver thousands of refurbished courts across Great Britain, supported by £30 million of investment including in Newport.
“These improved tennis facilities in Tredegar Park will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu.”
