Tennis enthusiasts and local residents have much to celebrate as the tennis courts at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham have officially re-opened after a substantial £330,000 renovation. This refurbishment is part of a wider city-wide initiative led by Birmingham City Council to enhance public sports facilities.
Cannon Hill Park is among nine Birmingham parks to benefit from this comprehensive upgrade, which includes 27 tennis courts across the city. This effort is part of what has been hailed as the ‘biggest ever transformation’ of park tennis facilities across the UK, spearheaded by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in partnership with local councils and funded by the UK Government and the LTA Tennis Foundation through the Park Tennis Project.
The Park Tennis Project represents the largest-ever nationwide investment in public tennis courts, revitalizing 3,200 courts across over 1,000 parks. In Birmingham, this has resulted in extensive improvements including resurfacing, repainting, installation of new fencing, nets, and gate access systems to ensure these courts remain in prime condition for years to come.
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This national programme is revitalizing aging and underused courts, providing vital opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity outdoors. Locally, MicroSports has partnered with Birmingham City Council to manage these upgraded facilities, focusing on growing community participation and providing free or low-cost tennis sessions to make the sport accessible to everyone.
Bookings for all courts in Birmingham, including those at Cannon Hill Park, are now managed through the LTA website with updated systems for easier advance reservations and gate access. Furthermore, regular Barclays Free Park tennis sessions will be hosted to encourage new and experienced players alike to enjoy the game.
Frank Jordan, Executive Director of City Operations at Birmingham City Council, said, “It’s fantastic to see the courts at Cannon Hill Park and across Birmingham brought back to life through this partnership with the LTA and MicroSports. By combining refurbished courts with free, accessible sessions, we’re helping remove barriers to participation and opening up the sport to residents of all ages and abilities. We’re proud to be part of a programme that is creating lasting benefits for Birmingham’s residents and supporting healthier, more active lifestyles.”
LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd added, “We’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Birmingham officially re-open to the public, and in better shape than ever. Park tennis courts are vital for providing people with opportunities to pick up a racket, and we want as many people as possible, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to enjoy playing tennis and being active. Thanks to this investment, the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”