Tennis award for Regent's Park bosses who closed courts
Published: 2 April 2010
by TOM FOOT
PARKS bosses have won a top industry award for their “commitment to community tennis” in Regent’s Park – despite a controversial closure of a popular tennis school two years ago.
The Regent’s Park Golf and Tennis School was shut in its 100th year by the Royal Parks Agency in June 2007.
They wanted to make space for a five-a-side football complex run by sports giant Goals!
But a high-profile campaign was launched and the football complex, which would have concreted over four acres of meadowland and axed 50 trees, was rejected by planning officials in December 2007.
In a tragic footnote to a successful campaign, Russian tennis coach-to-the-stars Yuri Ouvarov hanged himself on the tennis court on the night of the planning hearing.
Chris Meadows, a close friend of Mr Ouvarov who ran the tennis school, said: “Why don’t they ask the 4,500 people who complained about the closure whether they agree with the award? They closed a great facility, they lost three great tennis courts, and £40,000 a year in rent as well. It beggars belief.”
The school – where children once dreamed of becoming the next Tim Henman or Andy Murray – is now padlocked shut and weeds have sprouted up through the court base lines.
Regent’s Park was given the award from the the Tennis Foundation for courts provided free to schools in the park’s Inner Circle.
Tennis Foundation director Sue Mappin said: “We are delighted to award Regent’s Park ‘beacon’ status to recognise the excellent work they are already doing. To grow participation, we need more quality public tennis facilities like this, offering the local community a fun affordable tennis experience year round.”