HALF a million pounds of investment has created 10, newly-resurfaced, full-size outdoor courts, a four-court mini tennis zone and new pavilion and community café at St Mark’s Recreation Ground.

The pavilion, which has only recently been completed, replaces the previous mobile cabins and was funded by Swindon Borough Council using £500,000 in Section 106 developer contributions.

The new building has been given a modern appearance to relate to its new location and to act as a focus for the park — which has also been improved with upgraded paths, an enlarged basketball court, works to trees and improved frontage to Whitehouse Road.

The latter involves opening up the park to the road by replacing a hedge with attractive iron railings, which has made people people more aware of the park and its facilities, as well as making it safer.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has provided further improvements by the way of £80,000 in grant funding for the resurfacing of all the tennis courts.

Swindon Community Tennis moved to the St Mark’s site five years ago and has been working in partnership with the council and the LTA to improve the provision of tennis and the facilities at the recreation ground.

Now, the trust is due to take on a 25-year lease from the council to run the tennis facilities on a permanent basis.

Councillor David Renard, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “The tennis club has done a fabulous job in promoting grassroots tennis in the time they have been based at St Mark’s.

"I hope that by investing in the facilities and transferring them to the club on a 25-year lease, that we will continue to see tennis flourish in Swindon.”

Tim Poole, chairman of Swindon Community Tennis, said: “This is an exciting time for the community as a whole, not just those already interested in tennis.

“The partnership has delivered what has to be the premier tennis facilities in Swindon following significant investment by all partners.

“The beauty of it is that we can now offer opportunities for tennis for everyone in the community at all levels catering for people of all abilities from family fun to competitive league tennis.”

James Deem, LTA regional tennis participation manager, said: “This is one of the best public tennis facilities in the country.

"It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone in Swindon to pick up a racket at an affordable price.”

For further information about St Mark’s Recreation Ground and to book places at any of the sessions on offer, visit tinyurl.com/n92mf25.