Havering tennis courts close for summer to undergo refurb

The £390,000 project, by the council in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), will refurbish four tennis courts in the borough.

The courts are in Harold Wood Park, Haynes Park in Hornchurch, Lodge Farm Park in Gidea Park and Raphael Park in Romford.

Works began on Monday (July 31) and are expected to be done between mid-September and early October 2023.

The four courts have been temporarily closed after the council said some courts would not be available for use during this time.

New gates will also be installed to courts in Harrow Lodge Park, Spring Farm Park, Upminster Park, Rise Park and Hylands Park, the council has said.

The project is funded jointly by the government and LTA Foundation to “help improve tennis court facilities, including new gate-access and advanced booking systems”, according to the council.

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Courts in Harrow Lodge Park, Upminster Park, Spring Farm Park and Hylands Park currently remain open.

Everyone Active’s Havering Tennis Club at Noak Hill Sports Complex in Romford is also an accessible option, the council said.

The news has however left some social media users baffled over the decision to carry out repairs during the summer holidays.

Andrew Goater said in a Facebook group: “Not sure of the logic of the timing, right in the middle of the school holidays.”

Others questioned why the works were not scheduled during winter when “people don’t want to play tennis.”

Council leader Ray Morgon said he understood frustrations around the timing of the works but said the LTA is leading on the project and the council must work to their schedules.

“We have tried to minimise the impact on residents, and although the courts of four parks are out of use – there are still six parks with courts open to the public.

“Ultimately this minor inconvenience will mean residents will have access to vastly improved tennis courts in the near future.”