THE six tennis courts at Stratford Park, Stroud are to undergo a £127,000 revamp.

Work will be jointly funded by Stroud District Council and the Lawn Tennis Association.

The project is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation to refurbish public tennis courts across the country.

Thousands of courts in poor or unplayable condition will be brought back to life with improved accessibility, new gate-access technology and booking systems.

Park tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for children and adults to get active, delivering significant physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits to participants.

The Government and the LTA has provided £115,000 while SDC has given £12,000 to the scheme.

SDC's physical activity and health development team will also work with the LTA to deliver activities.

This will include weekly organised free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket.

Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through competitions. 

All courts and sessions at Stratford Park will be available to book online via the LTA website at lta.org.uk/play and the dedicated Stratford Park booking system website and app when the courts are completed.

Work on sites has now started and is expected to be completed by March 31.

Chris Brine, chair of SDC's community services and licensing committee, said: “A key objective of our council plan is that leisure and culture services adopt a long term investment plan for facilities across the district to ensure everyone has access to good quality leisure opportunities that meet their needs.”

Committee vice-chair Beki Aldam added: “Physical activity is vital to our health and wellbeing. I look forward to these improvements being made, and the tennis courts being used and enjoyed by residents of all ages and abilities.”

Julie Porter, chief operating officer at the LTA, said: "“We are delighted to be working with SDC to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active."