Kirklees: ‘Poorly timed’ closure of tennis courts in parks

Users of the public tennis courts, which will close over the summer months for renovations, have called the decision “badly timed”.

Kirklees Council said the closure of 19 courts in its borough parks in July and August was dictated by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which funded the improvements.

The LTA said it wanted the work to be completed as quickly as possible, but players who spoke to the BBC pointed out that the pitches would be unused during the sport’s main season.

Tennis has traditionally enjoyed a surge in popularity and participation following the Wimbledon Championships, which ended on 14 July.

At Wilton Park in Batley, two of the four pitches due to be closed by the end of September were missing nets and the general condition of the playing surfaces was poor.

Retired carpet fitter Martin Woods, 68, regularly walks in the park for exercise and said the facilities were a “disgrace”.

“They might as well lock them up because they’re a disgrace.

“The vines are broken, there’s dog mud everywhere; this park has just collapsed due to the noise.”

A staff member at the park’s cafe said the courts “definitely” needed a change, but admitted their closure could hurt trade, especially with the summer holidays approaching.

In addition to the torn nets, the line markings on the pitches had faded and there were numerous holes in the fences.

Kirklees Council said contractors will improve the playing surfaces, repaint the markings, install new nets and repair fencing.

In Huddersfield, all six pitches at sunny Greenhead Park were in use when the BBC visited.

Among those playing were the 20 members of Huddersfield Pickleball Club, a group made up mainly of retired people who want to keep fit and active.

Pickleball is a version of the sport played on a smaller court with paddle-style bats and a plastic ball and is accessible to all ages and fitness levels.

The club uses the free pitches in the park every Thursday from May to September.

“It’s the older age group that will be excluded now,” said 82-year-old Eileen Stubbs.

“A councilor should step in and sort it out.”

Ms Stubbs, from Thurstonland, said the club had also been told they would have to pay to use the pitches once the improvements were complete.

“They should be free to use; this is the only facility in the park that we will have to pay for,” she added.

Mark Chamberlain, a retired primary school teacher who took up pickleball to keep fit and lose weight, said the closure was “very poorly timed”.

“The summer school holidays are coming up, Wimbledon has just started and everyone is really keen to play,” he added.

Despite the Batley courts falling into disrepair, Mr Chamberlain said those used by Huddersfield Pickleball Club were “fine”.

Parents who use the courts with their children also expressed their disappointment.

Wimbledon fever had gripped Amy Johnson’s sons Joshua, 10, and Alfie, six, and she hailed the “fantastic” free courts.

“Especially when the weather is nice, it’s easy to get them out and off their iPads and away from the TV.

“It’s a shame we won’t be able to come and use them.

“I was planning to go down more on holiday with other friends who have finished school.”

Ms Johnson added: “Time-wise, it’s not great. We have only just started using them, they will be removed”.

Kirklees Council has been contacted for comment.

Other courts to be closed in the borough over the summer include those at Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury and Firth Park in Heckmondwike.

The work will be carried out on the following dates:

Wilton Park 15 July – 20 September

Crow Nest Park 15 July – 20 September

Greenhead Park 22 July – 23 August

Firth Park 29 July – 23 August