View Full Version : End of free tennis in Brockwell/Ruskin etc...
gaijingirl
09-07-2007, 10:10
So Lambeth are going to start charging for all of its tennis courts in Brockwell and other parks and facilities in the borough..... £4 for anyone over 16 from July 9th. :(
Wonder if they'll use any of that money to fix the (main Westerly exit) gate into the Brockwell that has now been closed for almost 3 weeks... :mad:
Minnie_the_Minx
09-07-2007, 10:12
So Lambeth are going to start charging for all of its tennis courts in Brockwell and other parks and facilities in the borough..... £4 for anyone over 16 from July 9th. :(
Wonder if they'll use any of that money to fix the (main Westerly exit) gate into the Brockwell that has now been closed for almost 3 weeks... :mad:
Probably think all those people in that gated community can afford it ;)
gaijingirl
09-07-2007, 10:13
Probably think all those people in that gated community can afford it ;)
The people in the gated community aren't the only people who play tennis in the park.
Minnie_the_Minx
09-07-2007, 10:15
The people in the gated community aren't the only people who play tennis in the park.
yes, I know. I was taking the piss :rolleyes: :D
http://www.tennisforfree.com/
gaijingirl
09-07-2007, 11:18
http://www.tennisforfree.com/
Tennis for free were operating in Lambeth and advertised on the courts by way of giant banners...
"Tennis For Free disappointed by Lambeth charge
With the national media lamenting the performance of British players at Wimbledon 2007, a UK tennis charity that champions grassroots tennis has been left disappointed by one of its former beneficiaries.
Lambeth Council, which used to be one of the recipients of free coaching sessions from Tennis For Free, has now ended its entire free tennis provision in parks and open spaces.
The council has benefited from greater participation levels in tennis in recent years as a result of removing the fees from hiring tennis courts in parks.
Unfortunately, now, Lambeth sees the greater participation as a source of extra income and, from Monday 9 July 2007, is introducing a charge – believed to be £4 per hour. The council claims the introduction of a charge is because “there has been significant capital investment on the tennis facilities in the borough recently”.
Lambeth Council believes that they are still addressing grassroots tennis by introducing the charge to over-16s only. However, this goes against what Tennis For Free believes in, which is free tennis for all.
Paul Jessop, Chief Executive of Tennis For Free, said: “We are extremely disappointed that Lambeth is introducing these charges after seeing more people use the courts in recent years.
“As with most councils that charge for their courts, participation levels are likely to drop and those talented youngsters and their parents in the area are likely to put away their racquets and start kicking a football around again on the 'free grass'.
“The general trend is likely to follow that the reduced participation results in less interest in the tarmac area, followed by vandalism, then the tennis nets being removed and finally, a derelict area that ironically becomes free again.”
The charging is a three month pilot scheme to see whether the cost of a security person is significantly outweighed by the income generated.
Jessop added: “In our eyes, this is three months too long. We feel that the cost of the security of the courts can be offset by an individual presence who encourages participation rather than somebody who is paid to limit it – which is what this charge does.”"
gaijingirl
09-07-2007, 11:20
Until a few years ago it was free AND there was a couple of guys in the little wooden hut by the bowling green who looked after the courts - making the whole booking procedure much more straight forward. :(
"ennis For Free disappointed by Lambeth charge <snip>
That's a bit shit isn't it.
oohhhh what i shame :confused:
will that be the end of my newly aquired tennis career then :(
Gixxer1000
18-07-2007, 22:08
The charging is a three month pilot scheme to see whether the cost of a security person is significantly outweighed by the income generated.
Presumably they will make fuck all as I saw two security guards there Sunday evening. What really made my piss boil was for some fucking reason they had driven up to the courts and parked up. :mad:
goldengraham
19-07-2007, 14:15
The sign on the courts says it's just a one-off £4 fee for those who wish to book a court in advance.
It doesn't say anything about a general £4 an hour charge.
gaijingirl
19-07-2007, 14:19
Have you played up there since it changed over? It used to be that when you booked, it was for a one hour slot, and you were given a reference number.
When you call now and pay your £4 is this for an unlimited time period? Or still for an hour. I'm willing to bet the latter.
goldengraham
19-07-2007, 15:12
No - I walked past them on Tuesday. But I've just looked on the Lambeth website and it does say £4 an hour. That is really out of order!
http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/LeisureCulture/SportsClubsCentres/SportsFacilitiesParks.htm#tennis
Morons. Councils used to do this aeons ago, and all that happened was precisely as it says in that quotation - people didn't use them much, and they fell into disrepair.
ETA: When I say 'aeons ago', I mean the early and mid '90s :p
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