ILMINSTER Town Council has announced that the new Tennis Courts on the recreation ground will open next Wednesday. 

Taking place on July 31 from 2pm to 4pm. Work began on renovating the courts last year as part of a project launched by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation.

The investment sum of £170,000 (consisting of £154,000 from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation and £16,000 from Somerset Council) will also go towards refurbishing tennis courts in Yeovil.

The project is part of a nationwide investment to refurbish public tennis courts to ensure local communities have access to quality facilities.

Thousands of park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition across Great Britain will be brought back to life, allowing the sport to become increasingly accessible, particularly for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The new and improved courts allow locals to remain active, delivering significant physical and mental health and well-being benefits.

Alongside the renovation works, new gate-access technology and booking systems will also be implemented.

This will include free park tennis sessions for people of all ages, playing levels, and experience, with equipment provided for those who do not have it.

Julie Porter, the chief operating officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with Somerset Council, Ilminster Town Council, and Crewkerne Town 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 Somerset Council, Ilminster Town Council, and Crewkerne Town Council to ensure that the local community has a range of accessible opportunities to get on the court and open up our sport to many more people.”

It will be possible to book courts and sessions at all of the sites via this website and on the respective websites of the councils with a link to the local booking platform ‘Clubspark’.