New tennis centre on track to open this year

A new indoor tennis centre in Dumfries is on course to open later this year.

The Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) project at the King George V sports complex has reached the halfway stage in its construction.

Work began in February on the three-court centre which will open towards the end of the year.

It is part of nationwide efforts to boost participation and will provide year-round access to tennis for players across Dumfries and Galloway.

The £2.3m project is described as an important landmark in the ongoing efforts to improve access to the sport across Scotland.

It will be the third indoor tennis centre built recently following sites in Edinburgh and Elgin.

Maureen Johnstone, who chairs Dumfries and Galloway Council's community wellbeing committee, said: "I am delighted to see the progress of the new tennis centre and look forward to it being completed.

"It will be a major community asset for us and will provide much-needed indoor facilities for tennis players in the region and beyond."

Sportscotland chief executive Forbes Dunlop said it was exciting to see the progress which had been made.

"When it's opened the centre will be hugely significant for local tennis and the communities in Dumfries and Galloway," he said.

The Lawn Tennis Association said the project embodied its vision of ensuring tennis was "truly a sport for everyone".

Blane Dodds, chief executive of Tennis Scotland, said: "This is a significant moment as we aim to continue making tennis accessible to everyone right across Scotland by providing year-round indoor facilities.

"The new indoor centre in Dumfries and Galloway is taking shape and we're all looking forward to seeing players get on the courts soon."