Morden tennis courts need redevelopment (From Your Local Guardian)

Morden tennis courts need redevelopment

6:20am Monday 5th July 2010 in

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As the world’s greatest tennis players competed for one of sport’s most lucrative titles, these were the facilities, just two miles from the All England Club.

With weeds growing through concrete and not a new net in sight, residents living next to the tennis courts in Morden Park are demanding action from the council.

They claim the borough’s young people are being let down as the local authority gives unwavering support to the Wimbledon Championships while letting its own tennis facilities fall into disrepair.

Jackie Schneider, who last year campaigned against council plans to build a commercial football centre and licensed bar on the site of the courts, said: “You still see kids queuing up to play, so there’s no question of their popularity. It’s just insane the courts should be allowed to fall into this state.

“If people are serious about kids getting active this is something that needs to be looked at. How much would it really cost the council compared with the amount it invests in supporting the world’s greatest tennis tournament on our doorstep?”

Reverend Ray Skinner, from St Lawrence Church in London Road and secretary of the Morden Park and Playing Fields Association, said the courts had not been repaired in more than a decade.

He said: “The local authority has always disputed whose responsibility it is with the London Playing Fields Association, but after the election it is up to the new council to make sure something happens.”

Merton Council’s leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: “We are planning a programme of improvements to cover all our parks, to be implemented over the coming years once we establish the finances available to us.

“I am intending to meet the All England Lawn Tennis Club to bring in its expertise in this field.”