Council secures funding from Lawn Tennis Association

Cheshire West and Chester Council has secured funding from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to make improvements to Knights Grange tennis facility.

This is part of a wider UK project led by the LTA following £21.9m of funding being directly awarded from Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

In 2023, the LTA assessed tennis infrastructure in the borough’s parks and identified investment was needed to bring them up to a ‘good’ standard.

Following full site surveys and cost analysis reviews, the LTA offered the Council £43,100 to undertake improvements to Knights Grange, Winsford.

The Council’s successful bid for this money will see courts refurbished to LTA standards. The courts will receive a full resurface, full re-paint, moss treatment and full weed removal, new nets, net posts and centre bands, as well as an on-line booking system, and access to free play and coaching opportunities for residents.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said:

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and open spaces have been critical in providing physical, emotional, and mental health benefits to communities. The demand to utilise parks and open spaces has increased as people have become aware of these benefits.

“This funding is wonderful news and will mean residents will have access to safe, well maintained, LTA standard tennis courts.   The use of an online booking system will reduce unnecessary travel for families and individuals, ensuring a court is available for them when they arrive, and there will also be access to free play and coaching opportunities.”

Work on the improvements is due to start in early February, however this is weather dependent.