Dingle Close Tennis Proposal 2023

What we proposed

Bristol City Council consulted between 27 October 2023 and 10 December 2023 on a proposed change to how we operate, maintain and pay for the tennis courts at Dingle Close in Sea Mills. We can no longer afford to maintain and operate them in the way we do now.

Currently, use of the tennis courts is free and people can turn up and play. However, there is no way of booking a court and the courts are in poor condition. Both courts need resurfacing and the court markings need repainting. The courts would be improved by raising one side to make them level. This work would also protect the mature tree at the north-east corner of the courts.

To provide a long-term sustainable plan for tennis at Dingle Close, we proposed that the two courts in Dingle Close would join the ‘Parks Tennis Operating Model’. This would mean that people pay to use the tennis courts and would book a court to be sure it is available. A tennis operator (the sports charity Wesport) would be responsible for the management and operation of the courts, and all repairs and maintenance costs. There would be an accessible and inclusive tennis programme which, in addition to public bookings, would include tennis coaching opportunities, competitively-priced coaching for children, community tennis initiatives and opportunities for free play. The Parks Tennis Operating Model has been used in Eastville Park, St George Park and Canford Park since 2019, and in September 2023 a decision was taken to add Redcatch Park tennis courts into the operating model.

In this consultation, we asked for your views on this proposal. 

Have your say

This consultation was open from 27 October 2023 to 10 December 2023. The consultation is now closed. 

Decision on the proposal