Decision details

As part of the Get Doncaster Moving program, both Community Sport and Parks are an integral part of the Physical Activity and Sport system. In 2021, The Government and Lawn Tennis Association announced a £30 million package to refurbish more than 4,500 public tennis courts in the most deprived parts of the UK and support a new generation of players to get into the sport.
The package will see an investment of £21.9 million committed by the Government and £8.4 million by the Lawn Tennis Association, which will revive over 4,500 courts including those in a poor or unplayable condition at more than 1,500 venues.
It is designed to open up the sport to people of all backgrounds, support the Government’s commitment to levelling up sports provision across the nation, and provide greater opportunities for everyone to follow the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance on physical activity. The guidance makes clear that children should aim to carry out 60 minutes of physical activity a day, and adults 2.5 hours a week.
The investment would be utilised to upgrade and develop the tennis courts at both Haslam and Hexthorpe Parks. Both these sites have been assessed and the total amount of funding required to carry out the works amounts to £94,258.77. Haslam Park would require £81,228.44 of investment and Hexthorpe Park would require £13,030.33.
City of Doncaster Council Street Scene department have agreed a 12-year maintenance plan that would alleviate City of Doncaster Council charging participants to utilise the courts. This plan outlines how the two sites will be maintained over a 12-year period. The LTA have agreed that this maintenance plan is acceptable and highlights how the courts will be maintained and protects the LTA’s investment in both sites.
As part of the funding agreement, the LTA are keen to protect their investment by the way of gated courts that require booking. City of Doncaster Council and the LTA have agreed this will only take place at Haslam Park courts and the courts at Hexthorpe Park will not have an access gate fitted. Both sites will continue to be free to access and use the Club Spark system that allows participants to pre-book court space but is not a requirement to use the courts. Turn up and play is still allowed and there will be a no charging policy at both sites.

To accept £94,258.77 from the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) to invest into 2 x Doncaster Tennis courts located in Hexthorpe and Haslam Park.

Alternative options rejected
City of Doncaster Council to not accept the funding from the LTA resulting in the tennis courts not being upgraded, and potentially resulting courts being taken out of use as they deteriorate.