New indoor tennis centre on track for opening

CONSTRUCTION of Dumfries’ new £2.3 million indoor tennis centre has reached the halfway point and it’s on track to open later this year.

An update was this week released for The Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) project at the King George V sports complex.

Work began in February with the three-court centre set to be open to clubs, schools and players of all ages in a matter of months.

An exact opening date is still to be confirmed but it will be towards the end of the year.

It means there will be year-round access to tennis in an inclusive, accessible and affordable facility, which is being funded by the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis fund, the Holywood Trust and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Preparations for the centre opening are progressing beyond the construction work. Local coaches are going through coaching qualifications with Tennis Scotland, upskilling the tennis workforce in the area as well as providing coaches to deliver a range of sessions every week at the centre.

Commenting on the update, Dumfries provost Cllr Maureen Johnstone said: “I am delighted to see the progress of the new tennis centre and look forward to it being completed. It will be a major community asset for us and will provide much-needed indoor facilities for tennis players in the region and beyond.”

Chief executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “It’s exciting to see the progress being made on the tennis centre in Dumfries. When it’s opened the centre will be hugely significant for local tennis and the communities in Dumfries and Galloway.”

Scott Lloyd, CEO of the Lawn Tennis Association, described it as ‘a significant milestone’, adding: “This outstanding facility will serve as a vibrant hub for the Dumfries and Galloway community, providing a welcoming space for players of all levels throughout the year.”

And Tennis Scotland boss Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland, said: “The new indoor centre in Dumfries and Galloway is taking shape and we’re all looking forward to seeing players get on the courts soon.”

The Dumfries project will be the third indoor tennis centre built in Scotland recently, following centres in Edinburgh and Elgin.