Gosport Borough Council has completely revamped the tired old courts, with £230,000 invested to create a high-quality playing facility for the whole community. The funding includes £30,000 from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation’s Park Tennis Project, delivered by the LTA, to revamp the tennis courts.

Alongside the four renovated tennis courts, two new pickleball courts have been created – the first free-to-use, dedicated outdoor pickleball courts on the South Coast.

The courts will be open from 7am to 9pm each day and are free for people to come and use.

A grand opening saw Gosport Mayor Cllr Kirsten Bradley and Council Leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn cut the ribbon on the bright blue and green hard courts. They were joined by ecstatic members of Gosport Pickleball Club and representatives from the LTA.

Gosport Borough Council has provided £193,000, funded through Section 106 developer contributions, as part of a £1m programme to upgrade sports and leisure facilities throughout the borough.

Cllr Chegwyn said: The tennis courts here were semi derelict for years and frankly unusable, and just look at them now. Beautiful new tennis courts, and the first purpose-built, free outdoor pickleball courts on the South Coast, and they’re already being enjoyed.

“It’s great to be able to invest and deliver new sports facilities in Gosport, which is what our town needs.”

The whole Privett Park facility has been rebuilt with everything new – from the asphalt hard surface to the nets and posts and high fencing surrounding the courts.

Cllr Bradley said: Gosport Pickleball Club came to me a couple of years ago with the dream of pickleball in Gosport in an open-air court. The club has been playing it for years, it’s a game that’s growing in popularity everywhere, it can be played by all ages and encourages fun and fitness.

“I’m delighted we can all share in their dream coming true.”

Scott Lloyd, Chief Executive at the LTA, said: “We’re delighted to see the park tennis courts in Privett Park officially re-open to the public, and in better shape than ever.

“Park tennis courts are vital for providing people with opportunities to pick up a racket, and we want as many people as possible, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to enjoy playing tennis and being active. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”

Gosport Pickleball Club has over 90 members, and Ian Kingsbury from the club said: This is absolutely phenomenal. A problem we, like many other clubs have, is securing places to play, having to share facilities with badminton and tennis. Now we have dedicated, free to use and absolutely beautiful courts…we have a fantastic opportunity to progress the game of pickleball.”

Gosport Pickleball Club is offering free ‘have a go’ pickleball sessions every week on the courts and will provide paddles and balls. Follow ‘Pickleball in the Park‘ on Facebook for details, call 023 9255 2881 or email ian@ipkingsbury.co.uk