Kirklees: Club to fight new tennis court fees

A volunteer has said he will “fight” a council’s plans to charge people to play the sport they love.

Tennis court users at four parks in Kirklees will have to pay to access the previously free facilities once a refurbishment program has been completed.

Among those affected are members of Huddersfield Pickleball, a club which holds regular sessions at Greenhead Park.

Although Kirklees Council said the fees would pay for the upkeep of the courts, club organizer Roger Wigram called their decision “crazy”.

The weekly sessions are popular with retirees as the sport is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It is played on a smaller court with plastic balls and padel-style rackets.

Mr Wigram said he had introduced around 60 players to pickleball and wanted the board to “honor” their agreement that the club could use the tennis courts for free.

Nineteen public courts in Huddersfield, Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike will be upgraded over the summer with funding from the Lawn Tennis Association.

Mr Wigram, 84, a retired brewery worker, said the charges would “shut the door” on potential players.

“People who have never played the game before are not going to risk paying for something they don’t like,” he said.

The council said some free slots would still be available, but added that their number and frequency had not yet been decided.

Mr Wigram said he paid for custom markings to be painted on three pitches at Greenhead Park and provided all the equipment needed for the sessions.

The group currently has an agreement with the council to use the courts for two hours every Thursday.

“All we’re asking for is a continuation of what we’ve got,” Mr Wigram said.

“I want to fight this. I expect them to honor their agreement.”

Kirklees Council said court rent charges had been in place “for a long time” but were difficult to enforce without locked gates, which will be installed as part of the refurbishment.

A spokesman added that discounts would be available for bulk bookings and that “free play” slots at selected times could be reserved.

The £206,427 investment in the courts is part of a program to make tennis more accessible.

Pickleball England estimated that the sport now has 30,000 regular participants.