Seventeen tennis courts across five parks in Barking and Dagenham are set to benefit from a cash injection of just over £400,00 which will breathe new life into the courts thanks to a partnership between the council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

The project is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people. This investment will see thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country through renovation works, and improved court accessibility with new gate-access technology and booking systems.

In addition to investment of £327,416.51 from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, £75,400 will also be invested by Barking and Dagenham Council. Tennis courts in the following parks across Barking and Dagenham are being renovated - Barking Park, Central Park, Greatfields Park, Old Dagenham Park, and St Chads Park.

Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, said: “We’re so pleased to announce this partnership with the LTA Tennis Foundation to breathe new life into our tennis offering in parks across Barking and Dagenham. Tennis courts provide opportunities for residents of all ages to get active, as well as provide physical, mental health, and wellbeing benefits too. This funding is in addition to £23m investment in our parks and green spaces across the borough since 2017. I look forward to seeing our residents out and about in our wonderful parks and enjoying the revamped courts once they are complete.”

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with Barking and Dagenham Council 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 the council 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.”

Alongside the investment, Barking and Dagenham Council and the operator of the tennis programme, will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activities across the park sites. This will include weekly organised free tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience, with equipment provided. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition. 

Works are underway and expected to be completed by mid-October 2023.

More information can be found at www.lbbd.gov.uk/tennis-court-project