32 tennis courts have been refurbished and officially reopened in Croydon.

Croydon's newly refurbished park tennis courts have reopened for local communities to enjoy after a £600,000 renovation project.

Croydon Council has worked with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Parks Tennis Project to transform 32 courts in 14 Croydon parks to offer better facilities for all ages and abilities.

The renovations include resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, nets, gates and a booking system to ensure the courts are durable for residents to enjoy for years to come.

All courts in Croydon can be booked through the LTA website.

People can enjoy Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and during weekends, as well as coaching sessions from Purley Sports Club. 

The refurbishment project is seeing £558,453 invested by the LTA Tennis Foundation as part of the LTA delivered Park Tennis Project, while Croydon is investing £66,723.

In total, over half a million pounds is being invested to upgrade the borough’s courts to bring them up to standard for the benefit of local communities.

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, attended the tennis courts’ reopening launch event at Trumble Gardens courts in Thornton Heath, on July 20, with representatives from the LTA and Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).

During the event, residents took part in free tennis coaching sessions, where anyone could pick up a racket and get on court to test out their skills.

The renovations are part of the LTA’s biggest ever investment in parks’ tennis facilities across Britain, with millions going towards transforming thousands of courts.

Income generated from the low-cost court booking fees will be reinvested to ensure they are maintained at their new high standard for many years.

Executive Mayor Jason Perry said: “I am thrilled with the stunning renovations at Croydon’s Park tennis courts. The upgraded facilities are ready to welcome players of all levels.

“These upgrades support my plan to help residents be more active and improve their health and wellbeing.

“We will continue to work with the LTA and GLL to ensure that these courts are well maintained so that people can easily enjoy a game of tennis with friends and family.”

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Croydon 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.”

David Hughes, Partnership Manager for GLL said: “First class, well maintained and managed courts are the key to getting more people playing tennis.

“So, we are delighted to see this impressive investment in Croydon’s tennis facilities completed.

“Alongside the free weekly park tennis sessions and community coaching programmes, it will help more people experience this wonderful, fun sport for many years to come.”