A community organisation could take over the running of public tennis facilities in Lichfield.
The Beacon Park Tennis CIO will aim to run the four courts in the park on behalf of Lichfield District Council in a bid to get more people playing.
It comes on the back of the Tennis For Free initiative which offers free coaching sessions on Sundays.
Councillor Iain Eadie, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, said: “We are really excited about the formation of Beacon Park Tennis.
“It has long been our ambition for groups to get more involved in running local sites, as they have the contacts and expertise to really drive forward sporting opportunities.”
Beacon Park Tennis is now in the process of putting together a management plan for the tennis courts and how it would work with the community to increase use of the courts.
Phil Shaw, trustee for Beacon Park Tennis CIO, added: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to take on the Beacon Park tennis courts. Our mission is to serve up a sustainable tennis facility in the heart of Lichfield which is accessible to the entire community.
“Through a series of low-cost, first-class facilities and free coaching-led sessions, we are promoting tennis, fun and encouraging people from all walks of life to be healthy through the Tennis For Free initiative.”
The next step will be for the council to agree the terms of the agreement and set up a lease.
“This is a really exciting time for the sport, and we’re looking forward to working with Beacon Park Tennis to really drive tennis forward locally,” added Cllr Eadie.
