A proposal to upgrade currently free-to-use tennis courts in Southampton parks could also herald the introduction of ‘gate access technology’ and pay-to-play options.

 

 

Possible funding from the Lawn Tennis Association means re-surfacing and new netting for tennis courts could be possible, explains Southampton City Council, which is consulting on potential changes to park tennis arrangements.

Tennis courts at Portswood Rec

You can currently organise your own Grand Slams at free-to-use courts at Riverside Park, Portswood Recreation Ground, East Park and St James’ Park in Shirley.

User guide at Riverside Park tennis court

They largely operate on a goodwill basis, with signs suggesting that if others are waiting, those playing should give way after 30 minutes.

But according to the consultation the revamp work could see “gate access technology” installed, so “fobs” or pin codes could be sold “on a household basis at an affordable cost”.

“There would also be the facility for pay and play tennis and free play,” says the council, adding that its aim is to bring in sufficient fees to maintain courts in the future.

The consultation does not, however, specify proposed fees or ‘membership’ costs, although it does ask for feedback on possible annual fees for a household, ranging from under £20 to £70+.

 

The gate access system at Southampton Sports Centre

At Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre on Thornhill Road, where there are six generally better quality courts bookable online via third party Premier Tennis, and where gate access technology has been in use for some years, playing will set you back £7.50 for an hour.

The company also manages bookings for four courts at Places Leisure in Eastleigh, where perfecting your serve and volley for an hour will cost £6. There are floodlights at both locations, and some concessions appear to be available.

Robbie Robinson outside the Riverside Park tennis court

Resident Robbie Robinson, who lives near the single, currently free-to-play Riverside Park court, and who said he’d been instrumental getting the court developed, pointed out recent vandalism.

He said he believed a pay-to-play and booking system would be better – as long as fees aren’t exorbitant.

“People would be able to come here. Alright, they’re gonna have to pay. That’s not a bad thing because this cost £4000 in the first place,” he said.

And he added that he thought that people using free courts to offer coaching should have to pay.

However Hilde Gronsberg, co-ordinator of the Friends of St. James' Park group, said her personal view was that she would “strongly disagree” with charges for the courts.

“I would always encourage the free use of tennis courts because it benefits the community that we live in,” she said.

Friends of Riverside Park committee member and former councillor Paul Jenks, also speaking in a personal capacity, said he could see both sides:

“It’s tricky because councils – and it’s not just Southampton, it’s all of them – are really cash-strapped at the moment. So they can’t put council tax up further than they have. They’ve got to raise money elsewhere. So I understand why they’re consulting about charging. And I can see the logic where, if you’re a tennis player and [they] spend money doing it up, then is it fair that everyone who’s not a tennis player pays for that. I see that argument.

The currently free to use court at Riverside Park

“At the same time, the flip side is that if you want to encourage people into sport, then charging discourages them. If you put a lock on it, good luck with that – it will have to be a substantial type of lock. It would possibly reduce vandalism and therefore the people playing would have a better playing experience.

 Riverside Park

“I suppose my position would be it’s OK to charge a certain amount a year for its use, but it has to be a reasonable amount of money. It can’t be anything excessive.”

Southampton City Council is consulting on park tennis courts and interest in their use until August 22. You can take part here.