Dover District Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have renovated two tennis courts at Connaught Park in Dover, as part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation – with the courts fully reopen for public booking from Saturday, (19 April).
A range of key works at Connaught Park have included a complete refurbishment of the courts with new coloured surfacing, fencing, nets and permanent court markings.
This local investment is part of a national programme of improvements funded through the LTA that has brought thousands of existing park tennis courts back to life for the benefit of communities across the country.
Renovations in Dover were fully funded by a grant of £57,800 from the LTA.
An access-controlled entry gate with an online booking system, now standard at many other tennis courts, will ensure residents and groups can reserve their slots online before they turn up to play. This will benefit players at peak times, maximise court use and help to keep the ongoing maintenance of the courts to a high standard.
The Deal and Dover Park Tennis Community Interest Company (CIC), previously named The Marke Wood Tennis Hub, which successfully runs the operation and maintenance of Marke Wood Tennis Courts, itself a beneficiary of the nationwide investment, will also manage the courts at Connaught Park. The CIC will work closely with the LTA to ensure a range of activities are in place for the local community. This will include organised, free weekly park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experiences with equipment provided starting in July.
Season tickets are available for regular tennis enthusiasts at £40, providing a family of four use of the courts all year round. The ticket can also be used to make bookings at Marke Wood Tennis Courts, as well as providing existing ticket holders for Marke Wood the opportunity to book courts at Connaught Park.
David Parish, DDC Head of Property Assets said: “We are very pleased to see this exciting renovation complete, and to welcome this new investment in tennis facilities in Dover. We would like to thank the LTA and everyone involved. The refurbishment of the courts at Connaught will offer a great opportunity for local residents of all ages to enjoy tennis in a beautiful park setting and improve their health while having fun.”
Scott Lloyd, Chief Executive at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Dover District 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 Dover District Council and the Parks Tennis Hub 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.”
For more information on a variety of communal coaching sessions, including free parks tennis, and information on how to book a court and how to sign up for a season ticket, please see https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/DoverDealParksTennis
Notes to editors
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About the LTA:
The LTA is the National Governing Body of tennis for Great Britain. They govern and grow tennis, from grassroots participation through to the professional game. Their vision is “Tennis Opened Up” and they’re on a mission to grow tennis by making it relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable.
The nationwide Parks Project, in partnership with the UK Government and the LTA Foundation will be used to revive thousands of tennis courts, including those in a poor or unplayable condition at more than 1,500 venues. The programme is being delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts and open up the sport to many more people. More information can be found here.
The LTA also work with schools, with volunteers, with coaches and with venues across the whole country as well as represent the interests of over 1,000,000 Members, men and women, girls and boys, playing on more than 23,000 courts. For further information about the LTA and tennis in Britain, visit www.lta.org.uk or follow them on X (formerly Twitter) @the_LTA.
Posted on 18 April 2025