Tennis players could soon have to pay and book online to use courts at a popular park in Knowle. Bristol City Council is currently consulting the public on the changes which may be introduced later this year at the tennis courts in Redcatch Park.
The courts would cost £5 per hour to book, or £35 for an annual household membership. The council said it can no longer afford to maintain the courts, which are currently free, due to rapidly rising costs and reduced government funding.
Tennis players have already had to pay to use other council-owned courts in Eastville Park, St George Park and Canford Park since 2019, as well as Victoria Park and Greville Smyth Park. Similar charges could now be introduced in Redcatch Park later this year.
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A council spokesman said: “Currently, use of the tennis courts is free and people can turn up and play. There is no way of booking the courts. The council cannot afford to maintain Redcatch Park tennis courts in the way we do now.
“To provide a long-term sustainable plan for tennis at Redcatch Park, we propose that the courts join the operating model that has been used in Eastville Park, St George Park and Canford Park since 2019. This would mean that people pay to use tennis courts and would book a court to be sure it is available.
“There would be an accessible and inclusive tennis programme which, in addition to public bookings, would include tennis coaching opportunities, competitively priced coaching for children, community tennis initiatives and opportunities for free play.”
Wesport, a sports charity, would be responsible for managing and operating the courts, including repairs and maintenance costs. The deadline for people to respond to the consultation is Tuesday, July 18.
After the consultation ends, the council will analyse the responses and use the feedback to develop final plans for the tennis courts. City Hall bosses are then expected to make a final decision on charging later this summer.
Several upgrades are planned for the Redcatch Park tennis courts if the charges are brought in. These include jet washing and repainting the courts with new line markings, adding floodlights, creating an online booking system and installing a gate access system.
