A future Wimbledon champion could yet be served up at Swansea Tennis Centre thanks to a deal that’s secured its future.
Tennis Swansea 365 – a group of tennis centre users – will soon start running the Centre after Swansea Council’s Cabinet agreed the terms of a lease with them.
The future of the Tennis Centre had been in doubt since early last year when the Council announced that it was to close to help make inroads into a funding shortfall.
The Council had been spending £120,000 a year to keep the Centre open but has been working closely with Tennis Swansea 365 ever since the user group showed an interest in running the facility themselves.
Swansea Council will lease the building to Tennis Swansea 365 under the deal and the Centre will be run by the user group.
Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “This is the ideal outcome for all concerned and is an example of what can be achieved during these difficult economic times when funds are tight and we have to prioritise what money we have on vital services.
“We’ve worked closely alongside Tennis Swansea 365 and the Lawn Tennis Association to reach this point and I wish Tennis Swansea 365 every success in their operation of the Centre in future.”
The Centre will be temporarily closed at the end of this month to allow time for the final detail of the lease to be agreed and some minor maintenance to be carried out.
When the centre reopens it will be run under new management and everyone concerned is keen to keep the closure as short as possible.
Collette Richards, Chairwoman of Tennis Swansea 365, said: “This is fantastic news and means all our efforts to save the Swansea Tennis Centre have been worthwhile.
“Twelve months of incredibly hard work has got us here and we appreciate all the help we’ve received from Swansea Council, particularly for keeping the Centre open while we continued negotiations. We’re also grateful for the active backing of the Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Wales who have been supporting and encouraging us from day one.
“We’re enthusiastic about taking over and the determination we’ve already shown will stand us in good stead for the challenges to come. The future of tennis in Wales’ second city has always been a driving force and we’re looking forward to seeing our current users back on court and to welcoming lots of new players to help us ensure a successful future for Swansea Tennis Centre.”
