Irvine Tennis Club
One For The Team CIC have assisted and worked with Irvine Tennis Club SCIO for the last 3 years to redevelop 3 redundant red ash tennis courts at the 70 year old site based at Thornhouse Avenue in Irvine.
One For The Team CIC assisted Irvine Tennis Community SCIO to gain a Full Community Asset transfer of the courts from North Ayrshire Council and completed Funding Bids to help secure over £250,000 of capital grant funding to help refurbish the courts to provide 3 new full size astroturf LTA regulated courts, 4 Pickleball Courts, Floodlighting Columns and a small Clubhouse.
The work involved providing assistance to develop a full business plan with financial projections, help with their community asset transfer application and the preparation of successful applications to North Ayrshire Council’s Community Investment Fund, Sportscotland, the Peoples Postcode Trust and the Valencia Landfill Communities Fund.
The first phase involved resurfacing the courts to an asphalt surface and the addition of floodlights, this was completed and opened to the public in September 2023 by Scottish Tennis Personality Judy Murray with over 250 people in attendance.
Further grant money was then sought to deliver the finished artificial surface 6 months later.
One For The Team are incredibly proud of being able to play a part in reviving this facility in our home town and to see Irvine Tennis Community running it so well for the community.
Timeline of Courts Development
Thornhouse Avenue Tennis Courts in 2021, Waterlogged and redundant in a town of 35,000+ people where no other Tennis Facilities exist nearby.
A Charity named Irvine Tennis Community with ambition of revamping the courts is formed and they begin offering free classes to local residents whilst gathering support they decide to request an asset transfer of the site from North Ayrshire Council.
Irvine Tennis Community and One For The Team CIC work together to help the Charity gain ownership of the facility, whilst OFTT develop a Business Plan and gain success with various funding grants which allow works to get under way to deliver Phase 1 - Floodlighting and an Asphalt All Weather Surface to allow all year round play.
Finished Phase 1 shown is an aerial picture of the All Weather Asphalt Surface down and the 2 Free to Use public courts painted for Mini Tennis and Pickleball.
Press Coverage
Video Courtesy of North Ayrshire TV
This video shows the initial courts at Thornhouse Avenue which ITC delivered classes on and set about revamping for the local community to use again.
Video Courtesy of North Ayrshire TV
Judy Murray Opens completed Stage 1 of 2 at Irvine Tennis Club with 250 + local residents, councillors and press in attendance.
Video Courtesy of TVA Sports
Interviews with Judy Murray OBE and Irvine Tennis Community Chair Chris McKenna.
The Finished Courts and Floodlights
Phase 2 Complete- Showing the 3 All Weather Courts completed with an Astroturf Surface and LED Floodlights. 4 Pickleball Courts also painted on the Asphalt surface. 2 open year round for free to the public.
Check out Irvine Tennis Community here
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/IrvineTennisClub
