Work on new Dumfries and Galloway indoor tennis centre reaches halfway stage
The £2.3 million, three court facility at the King George V complex is due to be open by the end of the year.
Building work on Dumfries and Galloway's £2.3 million indoor tennis centre has reached the half way stage.
The Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) project at the King George V complex in Dumfries will feature three courts which can be used all year round.
Work began on the centre in February and it is hoped it will be open by the end of the year.
Chair of the council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, Councillor Maureen Johnstone, said: 'I am delighted to see the progress of the new tennis centre and look forward to it being completed.
'It will be a major community asset for us and will provide much-needed indoor facilities for tennis players in the region and beyond.'
There are 11 tennis clubs with nearly 1,000 playing members across the region, but the weather means play is reduced during the winter.
The new centre will solve that problem and it will be open to clubs, schools and players of all ages, providing inclusive, accessible and affordable access to tennis.
Coaches are currently going through their qualifications with Tennis Scotland and Ashleigh is leading the work on the new facility.
The TSIT fund – operated by the LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland and Tennis Scotland, provided nearly £1.7 million for the project.
That includes a loan of more than £200,000 to the council. The local authority has also provided nearly £500,000 towards the total cost and Holywood Trust has put in £200,000.
Chief executive of Tennis Scotland, Blane Dodds, said: 'This is a significant moment as we aim to continue making tennis accessible to everyone right across Scotland by providing year-round indoor facilities. The new indoor centre in Dumfries and Galloway is taking shape and we're all looking forward to seeing players get on the courts soon.'
Once work is completed, it will be the third indoor tennis centre built in Scotland in the last few years, with the TSIT fund supporting 13 new indoor courts.
Chief executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: 'It's exciting to see the progress being made on the tennis centre in Dumfries. When it's opened the centre will be hugely significant for local tennis and the communities in Dumfries and Galloway.
'During what are very challenging times financially, I must commend the commitment of our partners to delivering this project and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have.'
CEO of the LTA, Scott Lloyd, added: 'This outstanding facility will serve as a vibrant hub for the Dumfries and Galloway community, providing a welcoming space for players of all levels throughout the year.
'This project embodies LTA's vision of 'tennis opened up' – ensuring that tennis is truly a sport for everyone.'
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