Tennis development to commence at Lymm Rugby Club

After a Covid-induced delay, significant site development of tennis facilities at Lymm Rugby Club is set to commence in late summer.

Manor Road Tennis Club (MRTC) became the Tennis Section of Lymm Rugby Club (LRC) in August 2020 and four new, all-weather, floodlit courts are now to be built in the rugby club’s Walled Garden. The project stalled for a year whilst planning approval was granted for houses on the current MRTC site, but momentum is now building.

Court construction is on schedule to commence in August, and the courts are planned to be ready for playing by March 2023.  The project is being funded by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) with an interest-free, 10-year loan (£250k) and additional LRC bank loan facility.

The business case for the project assumes a significant rise in tennis members of all ages, genders and abilities.  Tennis will be available throughout the year from 8am to 10pm, including the local community, using the LTA’s Pay & Play online facility. Local schools, including Lymm High School, will be provided with priority access to encourage tennis participation.

‘This is a very exciting community development for Lymm, creating a thriving multi-sports club,’ commented Pete Radcliffe, Tennis Section, Walled Garden Project Manager.

‘Available court time could subsequently increase from the current 4,500 hours on two courts with no floodlights, playable from end of March to November, to 20,000 hours, year-round, on four new, floodlit courts.’

‘The budget for the scheme is estimated at £350k and further fundraising may be required,’ commented David Simpson, Chairman of Lymm Rugby Club.

‘This initial development follows the planning permission to build houses on the current Manor Road site,’ added Simpson, ‘The building of the tennis facilities is the essential next phase to release the value of the site and help fund further development of the infrastructure and the new clubhouse on the existing rugby club site.’

‘This takes us one step closer to our overall objective of becoming a multi-sports community hub offering rugby, tennis, squash and hockey for all ages,’ he added.

‘We are delighted and grateful to have received the full support of Warrington Borough Council to date, and the LTA for this exciting scheme,’ concluded Simpson.

Tendering for the whole project is due to take place in July this year, in preparation for construction to commence by the end of August.

The final season at the existing MRTC site is underway and all members this year will receive a loyalty discount on their membership fees next season.

If you would like to get in touch regarding membership, donations, sponsorship or fundraising, please contact the following:

Membership: Stella Connor stellaconnor@gmail.com or Manor Road Tennis Club / Membership (lta.org.uk).

Donations, sponsorship or fundraising: Pete Radcliffe pete.radcliffe@gmail.com