The Transforming Scotland’s Indoor Tennis (TSIT) project at the King George V sports complex in Dumfries took another significant step forward today as construction started on the three-court centre.
The tennis centre is scheduled to open later in the year, it will provide a base for the sport in Dumfries and Galloway and the many rural communities in the area. It will be an inclusive, accessible and affordable facility providing more opportunities for people to play tennis.
Construction starting marks another important landmark in the ongoing work to improve year-round access to tennis across the country. It will be the third indoor tennis centre built in Scotland recently. Centres in Edinburgh and Elgin have opened since the end of 2023, meaning the TSIT fund will have helped build 13 indoor courts in that time when the Dumfries centre opens its doors.
Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, Mark Cowan, sportscotland Head of Facilities, Sophie Curthoys, LTA Investment Manager, Cllr Maureen Johnstone and Cllr Lynne Davis visited the site as the diggers moved in. A representative from Tennis Dumfries & Galloway also attended the event.
Nearly £1.7million of funding from the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis fund, operated by the LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland and Tennis Scotland, will help make the plans a reality. That amount includes a £211,347 loan to Dumfries and Galloway Council. Alongside the loan, the council has provided nearly £500,000 with the total cost of the project set to be £2,361,937.
A challenging financial climate and increased costs in the construction industry caused a rise in the total cost of the facility from original projections. However, the organisations involved put in a concerted effort to find additional funding to ensure the project went ahead. Holywood Trust, a local charity which helps young people in the area, are making a significant contribution of £200,000.
Today’s ground-breaking reaffirms the shared commitment of the TSIT partners – LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland and Tennis Scotland – to meet the demand for indoor tennis facilities across the country.
There is already a strong tennis infrastructure in the area with 11 registered clubs and close to 1000 playing members, but playing time is greatly reduced in the winter with play on outdoor courts weather dependant. The new centre will provide opportunities to grow participation among all ages and abilities throughout the year.
The plans will include a raised viewing area, office space and accessible changing areas.
TSIT is designed to support innovative and creative projects to meet local demand and fill the geographical gaps in indoor tennis provision that currently exist across Scotland. At £15million, TSIT is the largest capital investment programme in the sport’s history in Scotland and the aim is to create more and better opportunities to play tennis all year round.
The four-court £1.63m centre in Elgin, operated by Moray Sports Centre, and the £4.5m six-court Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre in Edinburgh are both seeing high numbers of players since opening in recent months.
This is not just about the bricks and mortar; it’s about creating an environment where people can enjoy the sport of tennis and progress to whatever level they aspire to
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee Chair, Cllr Maureen Johnstone said: “I’m delighted to see this project moving forward. Our Council has committed half a million pounds towards the costs and this clear commitment is a strong sign of the importance we place on this facility, and indeed of facilities of its nature. Having such an accessible facility in our largest town in the region will not only be excellent for local tennis players, but will attract people into the region, boosting the local economy.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee Vice Chair, Cllr Lynne Davis commented: “I would like to thank the key partners and stakeholders who have been on this journey with us and allowed for this work to commence. Without partnership working across all sectors, we would not be able to offer up such a wonderful facility, that will be a huge asset to the region in the short, medium and longer term. There is a real enthusiasm around the project, and this time next year, we’ll be stood here, in a tennis centre.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “Our aim with the TSIT fund was to improve year-round access to tennis in key areas across Scotland and this is a significant milestone in that journey. I look forward to seeing the impact it has for the local communities and for the sport.”
“These are exceptionally challenging times for everyone, and I must commend our partners for their continued commitment to delivering on our shared ambition to improve indoor tennis facilities across Scotland.
“This is not just about the bricks and mortar; it’s about creating an environment where people can enjoy the sport of tennis and progress to whatever level they aspire to.”
Scott Lloyd, CEO of the LTA said: “We are delighted that construction for this important tennis facility in Dumfries is now underway. The LTA is committed to investing in Scotland, and more indoor facilities are vital to our ambition to open up tennis to new audiences.
“This new project in Dumfries and Galloway will be a wonderful addition to the existing network of community indoor tennis centres across Scotland. These facilities play a pivotal role in supporting the physical and mental health of people in their local communities. This will enable more people to play throughout the winter months and provide much needed facilities to all the rural communities in the area.’’
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners to drive greater visibility and engagement in tennis and to get more people playing the sport.’’
Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland, said: “It’s exciting to see work starting on the new indoor tennis centre in Dumfries & Galloway. This is a significant moment for the ongoing expansion of facilities across Scotland, ensuring year-round access to tennis for new and existing players, whether it’s to compete and improve or just for fun.
“We want to make tennis accessible to everyone right across Scotland and, having already opened new centres in Edinburgh and Elgin over the past year, this facility will provide further momentum for our growing sport, which is inspiring more people than ever to pick up a racket.
“Thank you to all our partners the LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Holywood Trust for their hard work on this project and we look forward to the new centre opening soon.”
One partner. No competitors. Visible across local sport.
