Tennis

Nine tennis courts in ºù«ÍÞapp – four in West Green Park, three in Maidenbower Park and two in Southgate Park – have been refurbished and upgraded.

Improvements include court surfaces, nets, posts, fencing and new access footpaths. An online booking system linked to access-controlled gates to ensure all residents can guarantee their court booking slot has also been installed.

An annual household season ticket covering all courts will usually cost ºù«ÍÞapp residents £45 per annum per household (up to five people) or £7.50 per hour on a pay and play basis. An additional fee of £2 for members or £4 for non-members will be payable for the use of floodlights at West Green Park.

A household season ticket covers up to five people and can be used for a maximum of five hours of tennis per week and a maximum of two hours of tennis per day.

To take advantage of this reduced rate . The court booking system is easy to use and money generated from bookings will pay for court improvements in the future.

Courts can be booked up to 14 days in advance for season ticket holders and seven days in advance for ‘pay and play’ users.

A comprehensive weekly schedule of programmed activity will be added which will include coaching and competition for all ages and abilities.

Questions and answers

Why have the courts been upgraded?

All venues require some level of upgrade as identified by two separate audits completed in 2019, and again in 2020, by the facilities teams of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and a leading national tennis operator. The LTA identified ºù«ÍÞapp as a priority area for tennis development in the south east due to its demographic, latent demand and potential to expand and improve existing facilities.

What works have been carried out?

Works include resurfacing, repainting, new nets and posts (where required), new fencing and access-controlled gates, and accessibility improvements. 

How were the works funded?

Working closely with the LTA we were successful in securing a significant grant from the LTA and central government. Councillors agreed to spend £271,850 at Maidenbower, Southgate and West Green parks to improve the facilities and to increase participation.

How can I book a tennis court?

. It's easy to use and money generated from new bookings will pay for court improvements in the future.

Will there be any free court availability?

A selection of free sessions will be available every week at both Maidenbower and West Green Park. In addition, we will be running community and coaching provision across the year at all three venues.

How much is a residents’ season ticket?

ºù«ÍÞapp residents will benefit from a discounted household membership of £45 per year, which is equivalent to just 87p per week. Alternatively, there will be a pay per play and this will cost about £7.50 per hour (an additional fee will be payable for the use of floodlights at West Green Park). However, until 4 June 2023 an annual season ticket will cost £40 and the pay and play rate will be £6.50 per hour.

Is there coaching available?

When the renovations are completed, coaching will be offered through our new tennis coaching provider. They will offer programmes for people of all ages and abilities. Details will be available on this page in the near future.