Yahoo News Opportunity for Woking residents to be 'happier and healthier' with new £117k sports boost
Woking residents will soon have the chance to embrace a "happier and healthier" lifestyle, thanks to a £117,000 investment aimed at revitalizing sports facilities in the area.
Two tennis courts in West Byfleet are getting renovated, as a £117,000 investment brings more sport opportunities.
The work at West Byfleet Recreation Ground is set to get underway. Once completed the council and a local provider will work with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to deliver a range of activities bringing the sport to the local community.
Woking Borough Council have said this will improve weekly free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided. This means those who don’t have their own rackets or someone to play with can join in.
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The project is part of a nationwide investment by the government and the LTA Tennis Foundation aimed at making the sport more accessible across the UK.
Cllr Ellen Nicholson, Portfolio Holder for Living Well at Woking Borough Council, said: “It is vital that the borough provides opportunities for young people and adults to be active, and playing sport is an excellent way of developing fitness and improving mental health.
“Accessible facilities in parks are particularly critical to opening up the sport to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, women and girls. I am pleased that this investment will create these opportunities for Woking residents, and lead them to a happier, healthier lifestyle.”
Nationwide the investment will see thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition refurbished. Improvements will increase court accessibility with new gate-access technology and booking systems.
In addition to investment of over £56,000 from the Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, £61,000 has come from West Byfleet’s share of neighbourhood CIL funding, following a successful application supported by the West Byfleet Neighbourhood Forum.
All courts and sessions at all sites will be available to book online via the LTA website here.
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