Market Harborough Tennis Club's big plans for future

The next stage for the 240-member club, based in Great Bowden, is to raise funds for a new £150,000 clubhouse.

Club chair Lesley Paris confirmed to the Mail this week that the Tennis Club had bought their Great Bowden Recreation Ground site from Harborough District Council for “a five figure sum”.

The sale follows years of negotiations.

She said that plans could now go ahead to replace the “quaint” 1960s wooden clubhouse with a modern, £150,000 HQ with a kitchen, showers and changing rooms.

“We couldn’t build a new clubhouse before because we didn’t have security of tenure” explained Lesley.

“Now we’ve secured the freehold, the future looks very exciting.”

The club will be looking for sponsors for the new clubhouse, and will be applying for grants from local and national groups.

“Against the national trend, our club is continuing to attract new members” said Lesley.

“We offer an extensive junior coaching programme, team play for more experienced players and social sessions where everyone can mix in. Our most recent innovation is a Tuesday evening drop in session for adults -no membership necessary.”

The club has four all-weather tennis courts, three of which are floodlit.

There’s an Open Day from 2pm-5pm this Sunday, May 15, at the club. Everyone is welcome to come along and try tennis for free.

The first hour from 2-3pm will have a focus on juniors, with coaches available.

The club has a website at www.harboroughtennis.co.uk