Littleworth grass tennis courts closed - April 2012

[Sk84goal]

Hi all, Just found out that the two grass tennis courts in Littleworth have been closed down. Council says that they are too expensive to run. A real shame no wonder we never win Wimbledon! Maybe the money the council is spending celebrating the Olympics could have been spent on providing real sporting benefits for the town.

 

[70-plus]

Yes I agree with you. The Olympics should encourage young people (and old) to participate in sport. We have two bowling greens closed and now the tennis courts are going at Littleworth. What are the Littleworth councillors doing about this.

 

[Sk84goal]

Hi 70-plus, The councillors are aware of the issue and are going to " agree an approach to take forward on the issue" as soon as they let me know what that means I'll let you know. It just seems bizare that we have this great opportunity to ecourage a healthy lifestyle for the kids with the Olympics this year but all the council seems to do is close facilities and "price out" the kids from those that are left. But to be fair to the councillors we will need to give them a bit of time.

 

[Gramaisc]

to be fair to the councillors we will need to give them a bit time.

The ball's in their court ..?

 

[Sk84goal]

It would be if they still had one, Court that is! not balls! Well then again that depends on their reply

 

[proactive]

" agree an approach to take forward on the issue"

That sounds glacial. I'd have thought this would have given Rowan Draper an ideal photo opportunity... again. Make a nice change for it to actually be for something in his own constituency and not muscling in on someone elses

 

[Stafford Dunc]

They sneaked that one in under the radar . I used to live on the back of those courts, in the Peppermint house on Hatherton st. Spent many a happy afternoon on those courts. Cant they just turn it into a multi use sports space that could still include tennis . This town is losing too many of its sports facilities and we just seem let it happen.

 

[tek-monkey]

Fat people dont riot as much, unless kfc run out of chicken.

 

[RowanDraper]

That sounds glacial. I'd have thought this would have given Rowan Draper an ideal photo opportunity... again. Make a nice change for it to actually be for something in his own constituency and not muscling in on someone elses

Hi John,

I presume the photo opportunity you're referring to is the 'residents' fury over town race-track' article? May I just say that this is the only time I have posed for a picture taken for and published, by the Staffordshire Newsletter, and that the article does focus on activity on the Weston Road within Littleworth ward and supports the wider Stafford Borough community with safety concerns over the roads. As for the location of the photo taken for the Newsletter this wasn't in my hands.

As the Borough Council is closed over the Easter period I can assure you that I have already approached the subject with my colleagues and will be addressing the matter with officers at the Council as soon as I can.

Yours,

Rowan

 

[Rikki]

They sneaked that one in under the radar . I used to live on the back of those courts, in the Peppermint house on Hatherton st.

Do I know you?

 

[acpoynton]

... We have two bowling greens closed and now the tennis courts are going at Littleworth ...

Which two bowling greens have closed ... have I been dreaming or did I read somewhere that Corporation Street green is not being used?

 

[Gramaisc]

have I been dreaming or did I read somewhere that Corporation Street green is not being used?

More of a nightmare than a dream? - http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/News/Bowls-team-quits-over-green-closure-16022012.htm

http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/News/Club-closure-threat-blow-05042012.htm

 

[johnny come lately]

Hi all, Just found out that the two grass tennis courts in Littleworth have been closed down. Council says that they are too expensive to run. A real shame no wonder we never win Wimbledon! Maybe the money the council is spending celebrating the Olympics could have been spent on providing real sporting benefits for the town.

Were they actually being used though? I often find they are used by a few die-hards and not the 'potential' wimbledon champs (although for the couple of weeks of Wimbledon everyone wants a game.) Grass courts have such a limited season.....unless you can put a roof on them! I remember our school courts were concrete - but the private school a few miles away had lovely grass courts. Guess ours were a lot cheaper to maintain...and doubled up as a five-a-side pitch.

 

[RowanDraper]

Just wanted to give a brief update: my colleagues and I have requested a meeting with the Head of Service to talk about the issues raised and we expect that meeting to take place next week. Once we have more details I'll come back to update the Forum.

 

[Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt]

I live in Littleworth, I have done for the past 6 years - I had no idea that there are/were grass tennis courts in Littleworth, perhaps that is the problem

 

[ATJ]

Any news regarding the closure?

 

[hop]

Council says that they are too expensive to run.

Interesting since why should a community facility like this cost the council anything to run ? I know through a Councilor friend in Lewisham and also through the local papers where I live that it is quite common to get funding for such things from developers.

Recently a builder wanted to develop around 20 houses to which the council agreed so long as the builder payed for new play equipment in one of the children's playgrounds which would cost about 30k.

This seems to be fairly common practise and has been used not only replace old equipment but also open new play areas and even a 60 acre park.

Is this not done in Stafford ? If not what are council playing at they are missing an opportunity.

 

[tek-monkey]

Like allowing them to turn riverside into a car park, as long as a smaller replacement with less facilities was built.

 

[Sk84goal]

I'm sorry you must all be confused? Nothing has closed. see the SBC website :-
http://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/littleworth-park

The tennis courts are open,the bowling green is available in the evenings. Oh no! you don't think the council are lying on their website do you

 

[hop]

Like allowing them to turn riverside into a car park, as long as a smaller replacement with less facilities was built.

I don't see how your example is comparable. Perhaps the council are incompetent or have no commerical negotiation skills.

In the instances I mentioned these were totally new developments by private institutions. In exchange for this the council asked for something back. Its a quid pro quo arrangement where everyone benefits, the company gets to build their new headquarters, offices, houses etc... The community get new childrens playgrounds, replaced equipment, new parks etc...

It costs the council nothing to stupilate these conditions and it saves residents council tax.