News / tennis
Anger at council’s ‘flawed’ plans for tennis courts on Horfield Common
Bristol City Council claims it is a good news story, but the decision to invest in tennis courts at the Ardagh has angered community groups.
Under the new plans, £550,000 will be spent on upgrading six of the courts at the Horfield Common site, which will remain under council control, as part of a city-wide bid to create a ‘sustainable sports model’.
It means that users will soon have to pay to use the tennis facilities at the Ardagh, as well as in St George Park, Eastville Park and Canford Park, which are all due to be improved with funding from the Lawn Tennis Association and the council.
is needed now More than ever
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Kye Dudd, the cabinet member for energy, waste and regulatory services, said this is the only workable, sustainable sports offer on the table from what he dubbed “the most pro-sport administration the city has ever seen”.
But the Ardagh Community Trust (ACT) – which has been working for years on a bid to take over the running of the entire site on Horfield common – has slammed the council’s decision to retain control of six of the 11 tennis courts.
In a written statement, the ACT said: “This scheme undermines a community-led, fully externally-funded project, which will ensure a sustainable future for the Ardagh site at no ongoing cost to Bristol City Council.
“We do not believe these proposals will make culture and sport accessible to all. It is a pseudo-privatisation scheme, no matter how well intended, which will limit access to facilities located in Bristol’s public parks by those least able to afford it.
“This proposal is flawed, counterproductive and expensive for the council. We are at our wits’ end and cannot understand the rationale of Bristol City Council.”
The Cafe on the Common at the Ardagh is run as a social enterprise
The trust had been hoping to complete a community asset transfer of the site – a move members say would safeguard it for the future, rather than leave it vulnerable to “disposal’ by the council”.
Bristol Parks Forum committee also criticised the council’s decision, arguing “it appears to be intending to cherry pick profit-making assets out of a public site” and reneging on a deal with a community organisation that already had a workable plan in place.
Even Labour councillor for Bishopston and Ashley Down Tom Brook voiced his frustration at how the decision had been handled, saying it “left a sour taste in the mouth of those involved”, but he welcomed the investment in tennis in the city.
Kye Dudd says this is a good news story
Defending the decision, Dudd said: “We are working with the LTA and encouraging participation in tennis across the city. This is a sustainable model. It’s not just about the Ardagh, it’s about other places as well.
“The city-wide sports offer is of huge importance to this council and the council’s plan is the only workable, sustainable sports offer on the table. Far from privatisation, this is the only sustainable option.
“We do not believe the trust’s business plan was sustainable for these courts.”
Under the council plans, the LTA and Sport England will provide £350,000 of the necessary funds, with the additional £200,000 coming from the council.
The ACT say their alternative proposal would enable the courts to be used more widely for others sports, such as Tai-Chi and buggyfit, as well as tennis.
Read more: Bristol to benefit from £250m UK tennis investment
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
