A Lanarkshire tennis club's ambitious plans to build new covered courts in the area have fallen through after a funding setback.
Rutherglen Lawn Tennis Club hoped to have the new playing premises in Overtoun Park, a proposed location that proved controversial with some locals over the effect on public green space there.
However, the plans were dependent on securing funding from Tennis Scotland and Sportscotland, and the club has now stated on social media that its proposals have been rejected.
Club officials and members are believed to be stunned by the knock back, as they felt the plans perfectly fitted the governing body's criteria for support.
A Facebook statement read: "We are left disappointed, frustrated and confused with news from Tennis Scotland, the LTA and sportscotland that our plans to build a new covered tennis facility in Rutherglen as part of a vibrant community hub are not eligible for funding through their Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) fund and will be rejected.
"This funding stream is fundamental to the success of the project and we had taken significant comfort from our early engagement with Tennis Scotland and their support and encouragement in progressing our plans over the last few years. There seemed a genuine opportunity available to us to access this funding."
The club then added that they believed they were aligned with the funding guidelines set out by Tennis Scotland, with the governing body stating that they were looking to increase active participation in the sport.
The proposals would see pay as you play all weather courts built on currently vacant land, with a cafe also placed on site that the club claimed would become a local hub of activity.
However, Lanarkshire Live previously told how more than 100 people had joined a Facebook group to protest the plans, and called for the land to be used for a wider range of sports.
Rutherglen LTC has now requested a meeting with Tennis Scotland to discuss why the funding did not go ahead.
A spokesperson for Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) said: "We have been in discussion with Rutherglen LTC to explore their interest in TSIT funding.
"We will continue to meet with Rutherglen LTC to provide advice and guidance on their plans to develop their facilities, including funding options."
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