September marks the fifth anniversary of the new courts which have transformed St Ives Tennis Club.
The club has boomed since becoming the first in Cornwall to introduce synthetic red clay courts when it replaced its crumbling Tarmac ones.
The results — on and off the court — have been stunning, with membership rocketing from fewer than 100 to a current high of 250.
The arrivals include some excellent young players, attracted by the opportunity to play at their local club on the surface favoured by the Lawn Tennis Association for developing players. St Ives currently fields four teams punching above their weight in the Cornwall LTA leagues.
The near £100,000 project, a daunting prospect for a small two-court club, was achieved in partnership with Sport England’s Community Asset Fund, which provided half the cost.
The courts were ready for play in September 2020, and were officially opened by David Rawlinson, then president of the LTA.
The club, which boasts that it has “the best tennis court views anywhere” has not only attracted many new members — along with visitors booking the courts — it also offers the fast-growing sport of pickleball.
