Tennis courts to get a revamp as part of Kilkenny Sports Hub

Tennis courts located in the heart of Kilkenny City are to included in plans for a development of a water sports hub at County Hall.

Consultants have been appointed and public consultation on the new hub will commence on February 1.

Councillor Maria Dollard had a motion before last Friday’s meeting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District calling on the local authority to renovate the courts at County Hall and facilitate their accessibility by all, seven days a week.

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“The court is in good condition and there is no evidence of any antisocial behaviour in the area. Kilkenny Tennis Club is at capacity membership. Not everybody can afford annual club fees - there is a need for pay and play, publicly owned facilities in Kilkenny - similar to the facilities in Thomastown  which are free of charge,” she said.

Cllr Dollard told the meeting that in order to progress this she was calling on Kilkenny County Council to carry out a works assessment and costing to clarify what work needs to be completed.

According to the councillor this assessment should include

-        the repair the fence surrounding the court to discourage any future antisocial behaviour and prevent tennis balls from bouncing into the grass

·- the installation of a booking app  with minimal charge for users so that people can book the court and pay for their usage - thus avoiding time wasting clashes

·- the installation of an access keypad on the court which is connected to the booking time so that people can key in once they have paid for their time/use.

The councillor also pointed out that Kilkenny Sports & Recreation Partnership regularly use this facility to support disadvantaged groups to play tennis and that carrying out the above works will go hand in hand with the proposed development of a water sports building in the area.

“I would also recommend that Kilkenny County Council liaise with HSE to carry out similar work on their tennis court in St Canice's Hospital site,” added Cllr Dollard.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Eugene McGuinness. 

Director of Services, Tim Butler said that there is funding for a water hub at County Hall and that public consultation is due to begin at the start of next month.

“We have extended the brief to make the tennis courts accessible at all times,” said Mr Butler.

The Kilkenny Water Sports Hub will also include all-weather changing facilities, secure storage, bathroom and shower facilities , induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.