New funding for tennis courts

FUNDING for improvements to tennis courts worth around half a million pounds has been approved by Bridgend council, allocated to replace or refurbish a total of nine courts across the county borough.

The funding will be made up of £328,000 from the Lawn Tennis Association, and matched with £191,000 from Bridgend council, from its Community Asset Transfer Fund.

The proposal was approved unanimously at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 14, for tennis courts that had been assessed in four areas of Bridgend, including three at Maesteg Welfare Park, two at Heol-y-Cyw Playing Fields, and two at Caedu Park, in Ogmore Vale.

There will also be funding set aside as part of the project for the development of two brand new courts in Porthcawl, to replace to existing courts in Griffin Park, which are set to be demolished as part of the new sea-front development.

Funding from the Lawn Tennis Association was given as part of a £21.9m grant directly from UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, aimed at improving tennis courts based in public parks across the UK.

Council bosses in Bridgend were asked to grant a change in the terms and conditions of their Community Asset Transfer fund, allowing it to be used for match funding which would not have previously met the criteria.

Council leader Huw David said: “We’ve made big strides now in terms of the sport being a very inclusive sport, open to people of all backgrounds, ages, genders and identities.”

Cabinet member for regeneration Neelo Farr said while the grant would not go towards refurbishing the courts in Porthcawl’s Griffin Park, it would help honour the commitment made by the authority to replace them.

The decision follows the announcement of a new tennis centre and swimming pool at Island Farm, Ewenny Road.