Bournemouth tennis courts out to tender to make money (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Bournemouth tennis courts out to tender to make money
2:00pm Monday 25th February 2013 in News
TENNIS courts around Bournemouth are set to be leased to private operators, because they are not making any money for the council.
Courts at Knyveton Gardens, Meyrick Park, Moordown recreation ground, Redhill Park, Seafield Gardens, Swanmore Gardens and Winton recreation ground are all set to be put out to tender.
The majority of the courts currently bring in no income and the cost of repairs and maintenance are met from the council’s parks budget.
Bournemouth council’s decision to change the set-up follows a successful scheme in Shelley Park, where a private operator maintains the site and charges families £25 a year to use the courts.
An alternative option of closing the sites was rejected.
Comments(6)
BBC Escapee
says...
5:24pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Perhaps they could be outsourced to Mouchel they would be able to take them on and make a good profit!
However, I agree why do the council feel it has to make a profit on everything even though they like to call themselves Directors they are not a private company driven by profit for shareholders they have residents/council tax payers to provide a service to not shareholders to make profits for!
Tennis courts should be part of the facilities provided for residents by the council at a not for profit basis. Isn't council tax paid to cover services provided by your council.
What next are they going to do start charging children to use swing parks because it costs to maintain them or a charge for walking in the parks because it costs to mow the grass!
Get a grip Bournemouth Council before it is too late!
BIGTONE
says...
7:37pm Mon 25 Feb 13
CB1985
says...
10:06pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Yankee1
says...
12:12am Tue 26 Feb 13
ggrrrr wrote:Why should rate/taxpayers pay for the recreational choices of others?
Why does the council feel it needs to make money from leisure activities? Activies that encourage children to be outside, spending time with their family and friends? Plenty of football pitches around are free, basketball court at Malvern Road, paddling pool at Redhill are free and so they should be!
My two boys used to love playing tennis at Shelley Road and I've never been in a position where I can afford a gym for the 4 of us but have always wanted to encourge an active lifestyle.
This economy is tight. Some things are not sustainable. I am sorry, but that is simple reality.
Lord Spring
says...
7:50am Tue 26 Feb 13
ggrrrr wrote:Where did your two boys play tennis in the Hospital Car Park Shelley Road surely not in the road
Why does the council feel it needs to make money from leisure activities? Activies that encourage children to be outside, spending time with their family and friends? Plenty of football pitches around are free, basketball court at Malvern Road, paddling pool at Redhill are free and so they should be!
My two boys used to love playing tennis at Shelley Road and I've never been in a position where I can afford a gym for the 4 of us but have always wanted to encourge an active lifestyle.
ggrrrr says...
2:16pm Mon 25 Feb 13
My two boys used to love playing tennis at Shelley Road and I've never been in a position where I can afford a gym for the 4 of us but have always wanted to encourge an active lifestyle.