Downshire tennis club serve up new courts plan

A spokesman for the club, which is in Park Street, explained: "The club has recognised the need to develop their facilities for the community and over the past few years several attempts have been made to purchase adjacent ground. These include the local council offices and land from the forestry service, both of which proved unsuccessful due to the historic nature of our site. The club are now in negotiations with the Marquis of Downshire to lease ground on the Old Coach Road, which is currently used for recreational purposes. This would allow the club to remain at their existing premises and have the other facilities as an out centre."

The spokesman added that the project is subject to "ongoing members' and local community support, planning approval, lottery funding and an agreement being reached with the Marquis of Downshire".

He also expalined that a landscape architect has been appointed to look after the environmental issues and to provide adequate screening for the site.

The club, formed in 1939, has approximately 500 members but only three courts, which the spokesperson says is "totally unsuitable to allow for future needs".

He said: "The new facilities will augment the existing Park Street premises and will enable them to accommodate the demand for this popular sport and leisure pursuit. The ethos of the club is to welcome all members of the community by being open and friendly and to demonstrate that tennis is a sport for all ages and abilities.

"The club will be seeking to improve in all areas and develop partnerships with local schools and the councils in order that the healthy sport can be developed to every ones benefit," said the spokesperson.

Two open evenings will be held on Monday 15th and Monday 22nd February to allow interested parties to see the proposed plans and to discuss any issues with members of the committee.