Good news: Wirral Tennis Centre saved
Following a campaign by Wirral's Lib Dem councillors, the threat to the future of the Tennis Centre at Bidston has been lifted.
At Wirral's budget meeting earlier this year, the Council agreed to close the Wirral Tennis Centre at Bidston for a year and replace three of the six tennis courts with gym and soft play equipment.
The Liberal Democrat councillors proposed that the Council should negotiate with the Lawn Tennis Association to take over tennis provision at Bidston - but this was voted down by Labour and Conservative councillors.
However, that decision has now been reversed, with an announcement that the centre - with all six courts intact - is re-opening to all tennis players.
Wirral's Assistant Director for Leisure, Andy McCartan, said: "This has been an exceptional good news story and marks the first step in the development of the site to align with the aims and objectives of our Sports and Physical Activity Strategy, create opportunities within the local community and attain financial stability for the centre.
"We are still in dialogue with the LTA as to how this partnership will develop in future years to provide wider participation in tennis, both indoor, outdoor and all year round and this model, together with the investment in outdoor tennis provision will create a tennis ecosystem within Wirral."
Welcoming the news, Lib Dem councillor Allan Brame said: "This is great news and a vindication of the stance the Liberal Democrat group took at this year's Budget Council.
"We argued strongly against the proposals to close half the indoor tennis courts at the Bidston centre. Leaving just three courts would have reduced the potential for staging significant tournaments on Wirral.
"I asked the Council to continue negotiations with the Lawn Tennis Association and also contacted the LTA personally to urge them to put their expertise into running the Council's tennis offer.
"I am delighted that we have achieved a positive outcome and that this great facility has been retained for tennis players of all abilities. My thanks to the council officers who worked so hard to complete this arrangement."
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