Leisure company applies to build outdoor swimming pool in HarrogateNew £70,000 tennis courts open in Dacre with free taster sessions

State-of-the-art sports facilities have arrived in Nidderdale, with the laying of three brand-new artificial grass tennis courts at Dacre Tennis Club. 

The new ‘Savanna’ playing surfaces have replaced old and worn tarmac courts at a cost of £70,000.

The sum was paid for by a combination of cash, grants and loans from various sources.

Dacre & Hartwith Playing Fields Association, which owns the Max Pullan Recreation Ground where the club is based, contributed over £8,000, the North Yorkshire County Council’s Locality Budget provided a grant of £1,000, and a sizeable donation was also made by a club member.

Other members provided 10-year loans to the club, which itself also contributed reserves built up for the purpose and sold some 10-year memberships to make up the shortfall. 

Club committee member Charles Andrew said: 

“It’s a big investment, but the club is a real hub for tennis in the middle and upper dale and an important facility for all the people and villages there. 

“It’s a lovely surface to play on and some club members went and tested it out and were really impressed.” 

A ground-level view of members playing on the new artificial grass courts at Dacre Tennis Club in Nidderdale.

Dacre Tennis Club is volunteer-run and holds frequent social tennis sessions, runs competitions, and competes in local leagues.  

To introduce players to the new courts, volunteers will be opening up the club up for some free, informal Come-and-Play tennis sessions, starting from this weekend.  

Club secretary Jane Robinson said: 

“It’s a really exciting project and we’re hoping to attract lots of new members.” 

The sessions will be held at the following times: 

The club suggests people bring their trainers or tennis shoes and a racket if they have one; if they don’t, they may borrow one from the club. 

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Harrogate’s Rossett School could swap three tennis courts for 3G pitch

Rossett School is planning to remove three tennis courts and replace them with a new artificial 3G football pitch.

The school has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council that would see football facilities improve at Rossett Sports Centre.

There is currently a high demand for 3G pitches in the area, particularly since Harrogate Town were forced to remove theirs after promotion to the English Football League two years ago.

Last year, the school raised £10,000 through a fundraiser to replace its current 3G pitch.

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3G pitches are a way for schools to make extra income by hiring out the facility to local teams.

St Aidan’s Church of England High School has planning permission to build a new 3G pitch, which is set to open from 6pm to 8pm for community clubs to use.

St John Fisher Catholic High School also has a 3G pitch available for hire and Ashville College has an astroturf pitch.

The Stray Ferret asked Rossett for further details on its plans but a spokesperson declined to comment.

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