Sport Aberdeen’s Ruthrieston and Northfield outdoor tennis courts have officially reopened as part of a £210,000 renovation taking place across the Aberdeen City Council area, delivered by the LTA and supported by the LTA Tennis Foundation and the council.

The official opening events took place on Saturday 22 June – Ruthrieston from 10:00 to 12:00 and Northfield from 14:00 to 16:00 and welcomed more than 500 attendees, with the courts officially opened by Sport Aberdeen’s chairman, Tony Dawson. Sport Aberdeen manages both centres on behalf of Aberdeen City Council.

Attendees were given the opportunity to pick up a racket and get on court for a range of tennis activities, games and adult coaching taster sessions, as well as enjoying the bouncy castle, ice cream van and face painting available for children.

Through the Parks Tennis Project, the LTA is delivering the biggest ever investment in parks tennis facilities across Britain, which has been used to transform eight courts in the Aberdeen local area, providing a significant boost to sporting facilities.

There are three outdoor non-floodlit courts at Northfield Sports Centre and five outdoor non-floodlit courts at Ruthrieston Sports Centre.

The courts have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including court resurfacing and repainting, as well as replacement fencing, nets and security gates.

This nationwide programme of investment is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts being brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country, providing vital opportunities for children and adults to get active.

As well as weekly Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions with equipment provided, the refurbished courts will host Local Tennis Leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social local competitions. 

All courts will be available to book using ClubSpark here – a small booking fee will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come.       

The LTA and Sport Aberdeen will work together to ensure Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions are available on the courts, providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play.

Graeme Dale, Director of Sport and Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said: “It is fantastic to see new life breathed into our outdoor tennis courts at Northfield and Ruthrieston.

“We enjoyed welcoming the local community along to both opening events on Saturday – there was a real buzz and community spirit which was great to see.

“The modern and refurbished courts are easily accessible with a low booking cost, so we hope that people of all ages and abilities will go outside, enjoy the fresh air and have fun playing tennis.

“Our courts are available for booking now, head to ClubSpark here.”

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said:

“After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Aberdeen officially back open to the public, and in better shape than ever.

“Public tennis courts are such vital facilities for getting active and we want as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”