Bitts Park Beacon Site Status – First in the North West

Tennis Foundation recognition for tennis facilities

(Date of issue: Tuesday, 16 March 2010)

Carlisle’s Bitts Park Tennis Courts is the first North West to be awarded a top award by the Tennis Foundation.

The Carlisle City Council facilities have achieved Beacon Site Status in recognition of the improved facilities and also the City Council’s extensive tennis coaching programme.

A plaque will be presented by Alex Lewis from the Tennis Foundation and Jo Cunliffe from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure tomorrow (Wednesday, 17 March), at 9.30am, at the Bitts Park tennis courts.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

"Beacon site facilities provide local communities with access to sustainable, affordable, organised and fun coaching and competition. We are the only site in the North West to achieve this prestigious award as well as being one of the first 25 named sites in the country. This is great news for the continued development of tennis in Carlisle."

The Tennis Foundation’s ‘One Game all’ aims for adults and children of all ages and abilities to take up and enjoy playing tennis.

Carlisle City Council established a City Tennis Programme in January 2008 and have invested funding to ensure that the facilities are some of the best in the North West. With the support of the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and partners they have set up a Junior and Adult Tennis Programme, upgraded existing courts in Bitts Park and provided an undercover tennis airdome.

A Tennis Partnership was established in 2008 with representation from many partners who want to see tennis develop in the area. The overall aim of the partnership is to make tennis accessible for the whole community and to provide ways of improvement from beginners level through to performance tennis opportunities. The Carlisle City Tennis Partnership Group includes: Carlisle City Council; School Sport Partnership; Carlisle Leisure Ltd and the Lawn Tennis Association.

Beacon status will allow further funding to be sought for further facility development, advertising, coaching kit, and a new hitting wall amongst other exciting developments.