‘Dismay’ after £5m is pledged to Park of Keir tennis project
Critics of Judy Murray’s controversial Park of Keir development have reacted with “dismay” at news that the proposed tennis and sports centre is to receive £5million in funding from the Lawn Tennis Association.
The multi-million pound project between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan would deliver a multi-sport site including outdoor tennis courts, outdoor padel courts, indoor tennis courts, pickleball courts, a multisport hall, multi-use games area, gym, and cafe.
The Park of Keir partners say the intention is that the community centre becomes a flagship tennis venue in Scotland, which can act as a home for competition and player training alongside Judy’s programme to encourage greater participation in sport and build a workforce of community coaches.
The building would also recognise the achievements of two-time Wimbledon champion Sir Andy and the Murray family and their contribution to tennis in Scotland and Britain.
The LTA say the funding is agreed subject to the centre receiving the latest necessary planning approvals from Stirling Council later this year but stands alongside work to refurbish 175 tennis courts in Scottish public parks, as well as further investment in public tennis facilities across Britain.
Local politicians, however, are among those continuing to argue against Park of Keir as a site for the Murray project.
Bridge of Allan resident and local Scottish Conservative MSP, Alexander Stewart this week expressed “dismay” at the LTA’S £5million pledge and said he had written to SNP ministers highlighting the apprecation of local communities for the greenbelt landscape, native plants, woodland and wildlife.
He has also requested that no more extensions be granted and that the entire project’s application be rejected and that the process had turned into a “complete fiasco”.
He added: “Despite being resoundingly rejected by local residents, then Stirling Council’s planning panel, in addition to being further turned down by a Scottish Government-appointed independent reporter, who supported the local residents plus the council’s decision around nine years ago; the previous minister overturned all these decisions, then granted further extensions, which smacked of appeasement and which generally treated our local residents with utter contempt.
“It is salient also to highlight that the University of Stirling is both the national and regional centre of excellence for tennis, and we also have tennis facilities in Dublane Sports Club.
“Whilst it’s right however that Sir Andy Murray’s legacy is remembered properly in the locality, I am resolute that this development is not the answer and should never be allowed to go ahead.”
Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell meanwhile also restated his opposition, saying he has now written to sportscotland for further clarity on the funding.
He added: “It’s disappointing that a private sports resort with executive housing is still being proposed for Park of Keir against the wishes of the vast majority of local people and Stirling Council. This is a beautiful part of our local landscape with rolling hills and ancient woodland, it’s an important home for wildlife that should not be built on.”
“Everyone wants to see a positive Andy Murray legacy for the Stirling area and across Scotland but a controversial resort at Park of Keir that is inaccessible to most people feels like the wrong way to go about it.
“There are communities up and down the country who would love better tennis facilities, if there is any money it should go there.” Making the funding announcement,
Scott Lloyd, chief executive of the LTA, said: “Judy and her family have made an enormous contribution to tennis in Scotland and across Britain.
“We’re proud to be supporting this project which will deliver both a tennis centre of national significance for
Scotland, but also an important community facility for the people of Scotland.
“As Andy reaches the final stages of his playing career there are many ways in which British tennis will recognise his achievements and that of his family, but we believe this project will deliver a landmark facility for Dunblane and Scotland that will benefit, as part of Andy’s legacy, generations to come.”
Judy Murray OBE, said: “I’m delighted that the LTA has committed £5m of funding and support to the centre at Dunblane. This is a huge investment in Scottish tennis and community sport.
“I’ve been working closely with Scott Lloyd and the LTA over several years to bring the plans to fruition and we will continue to work in partnership to deliver a legacy for Scotland. We’re now hopeful that our other partners will commit their support to this important and exciting project, and to invest in other community tennis facilities across the UK.”