North Berwick Tennis Club nets new courts with sportscotland funding
Thursday 15 June 2006
North Berwick Tennis Club will be celebrating with the official opening of its upgraded floodlit courts this Sunday (18 June).
Supported by an award of £62,200 from sportscotland’s Building for Sport programme, the club will benefit from having six newly surfaced courts complete with floodlighting for courts one and two and this will allow the courts to be used all-year-round. With North Berwick’s favourable winter climate there has been a strong demand within the town for tennis to be extended to the winter season and this project will allow this to happen.
The opening of the new facilities will see the club have the only tennis specific floodlit tennis courts in East Lothian. This will make them the central hub for tennis within the local area, allowing them to provide tennis to the wider community and strengthen their links with local schools. The new surface will allow wheelchair tennis to take place and see the club extend and develop its junior coaching programme, as well as starting a winter programme of events.
The club was established in 1905, and has a thriving membership of over 300 with just over half being juniors. In 2005 it celebrated both its centenary and the 75th anniversary of its Open Tournament. This tournament, which has grown to a major event over the years, has in the past had players such as Andy Murray and Jamie Murray competing. In addition, the club’s recent affiliation to Tennis Scotland has allowed it to participate in the East of Scotland League system opening up the club to more people.
Sue Granville, President of North Berwick Tennis Club said: “North Berwick Tennis Club is delighted that this project has now been completed, and that the surrounding community can benefit from a first class tennis facility. Tennis in North Berwick is well supported by a committed volunteer organisation, and we expect the sport to increase in popularity, allowing players of all ages to achieve new levels of excellence. Hunter Construction has been responsible for the project, providing a high quality product, and the members are anticipating many years of enjoyable tennis from the facility.
“There have been many funders involved with this project, both locally and nationally, and North Berwick Tennis Club would like to thank all of them and assure them that the grants which they have made will be benefiting the community for years to come.”
Officially opening the courts Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “sportscotland is delighted to have supported this fantastic project with an award of £62,200 from sportscotland’s Building for Sport programme, ensuring that the people of North Berwick and the surrounding areas will have access to tennis facilities all year round.”
“This project is another example of sportscotland’s commitment to providing communities across Scotland with quality, accessible facilities giving them the opportunity to participate, develop and excel in sport.”
- The opening ceremony will take place at North Berwick Tennis Club, 27a East Road, North Berwick, EH39 4LF, tel: 01620 890542 at 2.00pm on Sunday 18 June 2006
- Other funders of this project have included: East Lothian Council, Russel Bequest, North Berwick Common Good Fund, Viridor, Lawn Tennis Association, Foundation for Sport and the Arts, and club funds.