City courts plan to create new tennis facility

AMBITIONS for a major new sports venue for Inverness have been reignited – this time with the focus on indoor tennis, amid optimism the city can tap into substantial available funding.

Highland Council’s leisure committee, which meets on Thursday, will consider applying for a share of the spoils, with a new venue mooted for a spot near the existing Inverness Leisure complex, in the area previously earmarked for a major Highland Arena project.

The council’s ambition is for a four-court hall costing £1.5 million, with a potential for securing £1 million towards the funding.

The remainder would be sought from other sources and would include a council contribution.

Councillors will be told that the promotional body Tennis Scotland, government agency Sportscotland and the Lawn Tennis Association are hoping to tap into the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund (TSIT) which offers financing for new regional tennis facilities.

The next funding round is November 1 and committee members will consider whether to submit an outline funding application.

Council officers say Highland has been identified by Tennis Scotland, the independent governing body, as a priority location for developing the sport.

Already branding a new facility the Highland Tennis Centre they say it could be positioned beside the leisure centre to take advantage of existing infrastructure and keep revenue costs to a minimum.

Malcolm MacKay, assistant manager of Inverness Tennis and Squash Club, said: "It would be fantastic. It would allow especially upcoming juniors to continue playing throughout the whole of the winter months. Up to now they’ve either had to go down to Stirling or through to Aberdeen.

"It would also help the general public, allowing them to play tennis year-round.

"It would then also keep the interest going and, hopefully, keep the numbers a lot more active during the whole 12-month period."

The council’s leisure arm High Life Highland declined to comment until after the committee meeting.

Tennis Scotland said: "We want to work with organisations that are as committed as we are to developing indoor tennis facilities, and to ensuring that more people have the opportunity to enjoy the sport, all year round – whether they are a social player or a future champion.

"We want to convert an interest in the game into active participation.

"Priority will initially be given to projects which involve a minimum of three indoor courts and funding of up to 66 per cent project costs is available up to a maximum of £250,000 per court.

"The fund will be delivered through a series of funding rounds."

Spearheaded by the Highland Velodrome Trust tennis had featured as part of their arena plan alongside facilities for cycling, athletics, gymnastics and judo.

The plan had been backed by a range of sports stars including tennis supremo Judy Murray, but failed to win the support of the council.

Inverness Common Good Fund also recently rejected an appeal for funding for a feasibility study into a fresh proposal for a velodrome at Tornagrain, though supporters insisted they remain "upbeat" about the project’s potential.

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