Anyone for tennis? Rose Gardens to be revamped

Poor drainage at the Coleraine Club means that the astro turf surface is often saturated.

Thanks to intervention by Independent councillor Claire Sugden, a keen tennis fan, Coleraine Borough Council have now removed the astro surface and are replacing it with a hard surface.

New posts, nets and drainage will also be implemented at the town centre site, which should be completed by the Easter holidays.

Welcoming the investment, councillor Claire Sugden told Times Sport: “The astro turf surface was not for purpose.

“To leave the courts as they were was not an option.

“The hard surface is not ideal, but it is only a short term solution.

“It is vital that we encourage young people to take part in sports, like tennis. Tennis is an inclusive sport and I hope that come the summer months we will see many young people taking advantage of the new look Rose Gardens.”

Local tennis coach and Coleraine Tennis Club member, Paul Logan added: “Tennis a sport than can be enjoyed by everyone from the age of three right up to 80.

“The work at the Rose Gardens, reverting back to a hard court, is a short term solution to a problem that has been on-going for a long time. Poor drainage often means that the court are flooded and are unsafe to use. The hard surface means that tennis can be enjoyed all year round.

“We have a decent facility in the Rose Gardens and I really hope that when the work is completed it will be used by the whole community.

“The hope of the tennis club is to build a tennis community - If we get more people involved in the sport then we can press for better facilities.”

In a statement, Coleraine Borough Council’s Head of Leisure Services, Alex Carmichael said: “Coleraine Borough Council has invested in the tennis courts located at the Rose Gardens Coleraine.

“This is to ensure they are fit for purpose, as they have been prone to damage through flooding, as well as wear and tear.

“Council is working to improve and extend play for tennis players, and the use of the courts throughout the year.”