Tennis court park idea could prove a winner (From Oxford Mail)

Tennis court park idea could prove a winner

5:13pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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UP TO eight grass tennis courts should be transformed into a green space for local families and pensioners, according to a leading city councillor.

Liberal Democrat Jean Fooks, who represents Oxford’s Summertown, wants eight out of 20 courts at Alexandra Park, off Middle Way, Summertown, removed and transformed into a park area.

That would leave six hard and six grass courts.

She said the idea, backed by members of the city council’s North area committee on Thursday, had come from residents themselves, during consultation.

She said: “I would like to see eight of the grass courts taken up and transformed into a green space for everyone.

“Even if eight courts were taken away, there would still be plenty of courts left for tennis fans.

“When the council carried out a consultation last year, lots of residents responded to say that they wanted the creation of a new green space. Families with young children would be able to use it and it would also be popular with pensioners living nearby at Charles Ponsonby House.

“A park area would be just the right thing for residents, some of whom live in houses which don’t have big gardens, or in flats.”

Mary Grice, a pensioner at Charles Ponsonby House, off Osberton Road, said: “The grass courts are very busy in the summer months but not so much at other times of year.”

Fusion Lifestyle, which took over the running of city council leisure facilities earlier this year, is considering taking over management of the tennis courts.

Last year the council prompted protests when it announced plans to lease the courts to Wildwood Leisure, a private company, which wanted to modernise them in a £1m scheme. Opposition led to the deal falling through.

A £55,000 refurbishment of the play area at Alexandra Park was also supported by councillors.