South Swindon Parish Council and the National Tennis Association (NTA) have announced a groundbreaking partnership for the management of the recently refurbished Quarry Road Tennis Courts in Old Town, Swindon.
Commencing in June 2023, the NTA will oversee the courts for a duration of 12 years. As part of the agreement, they will pay rent to the Parish Council, which will be allocated towards the ongoing maintenance and eventual rejuvenation of the courts in approximately 10-12 years. Previously, the Swindon Borough Council had managed the courts until earlier this year when the lease for the tennis courts and adjacent recreation area off Quarry Road was granted to the Parish Council for an extensive 99-year term.
Cllr Neil Hopkins, Chair of South Swindon Parish Council and an Old Town Parish Councillor, said: “It’s fantastic to see the tennis courts receive a much needed makeover. The site was in a real state of neglect and disrepair, so the investment is a welcome boost to the local community.
The NTA have done a fantastic job at the St Mark’s Tennis Courts, and we can’t wait to work with them here at the Quarry Road Courts. They have a great track record of involving the communities around their sites and improving the access to tennis in the area.”
The National Tennis Association (NTA) is a leading tennis management and coaching operator in the UK, established back in 2004. As a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, the NTA is dedicated to reinvesting any surplus income into tennis programs and facilities, ensuring long-term sustainability. Since 2014, the NTA has successfully overseen the management of the Swindon Tennis Centre, situated at St Marks Recreation Ground in Pinehurst. The centre has flourished under their guidance, attracting over 1,500 household members and hosting a diverse range of activities, including community coaching and organised matches in collaboration with the Swindon Tennis Club.
With the NTA assuming responsibility for the Quarry Road Tennis Courts, tennis enthusiasts will now have the opportunity to enroll in Swindon Tennis and gain access to either the St Marks Tennis Courts or the Quarry Road facility. Members of the public can enjoy the convenience of pay-as-you-go court rentals or opt for one of two membership options, granting them year-round access to play and participate in activities, starting at an affordable rate of £45 per year.
Furthermore, the NTA plans to engage with local schools and community groups, offering complimentary community sessions to introduce young individuals to the world of sports. This initiative aligns with the LTA’s commitment to foster community involvement through the Free Parks Tennis project, an effort aimed at enhancing local park tennis sites and ensuring accessible opportunities for nearby residents to engage in tennis.
Ed Nieburg, Director of the National Tennis Association, said: “We are thrilled to partner with South Swindon Parish Council to manage the Quarry Road Tennis Courts. This collaboration represents a significant opportunity to enhance the local tennis facilities and promote accessibility to the sport within parks. We look forward to working closely with the community and delivering on our mission of fostering long-term sustainability in tennis.”
The Quarry Road Tennis Courts in Old Town, Swindon, have long suffered from a state of disrepair, rendering them virtually unplayable. However, the recent investment will elevate the courts to an exceptionally high standard for similar facilities, significantly boosting their utilisation.
Renovations include the installation of new playing surfaces, nets, and gates for all three courts. This transformative project, funded by a £94,000 contribution from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, supplemented by an additional £46,000 from the South Swindon Parish Council, demonstrates a shared commitment to revitalising the Quarry Road Tennis Courts.
Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with South Swindon Parish Council and NTA to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active.
“This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project, and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come. We will also be working closely with South Swindon Parish Council and NTA to ensure that the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, and open up our sport to many more people.”
