Tennis lovers have netted an upgrade to the courts at Brodie Park as they urge locals to help look after the much-loved facility.
Renfrewshire Council has this week confirmed it will replace nets which were torn by vandals, while also tackling overgrown trees and moss at the Paisley park.
The courts were opened ten years ago after a refurbishment campaign was backed by Andy Murray.
But now only two of the seven courts are playable and that’s only when people sweep rotten leaves and vegetation from the surface.
The announcement comes just days after local man Colin Brady launched the Brodie Park Tennis Courts Community Group on Facebook.
He hopes the group will be able to attract additional funding for improvements and has urged the council to up its maintenance of the facility to ensure it is fit for purpose for the growing number of tennis players in Paisley.
He told the Express: “The courts are in a terrible state, having been vandalised and left to rot.
“They are full of mud, five nets have been ripped and the courts are hardly recognisable as the lines are barely visible.
“There are overhanging trees which drop foliage on the courts and that moults into muck.
“Only two of the courts are really playable.”
Colin, who has played a number of sports throughout his life, developed a real passion for tennis last year when the Covid-19 pandemic meant a number of contact sports were banned.
And the 42-year-old hopes any improvements brought about by the group or the council will bolster the fortunes of Paisley Tennis Club, which has been told that some competitors are unwilling to play there because of the poor conditions.
He added: “I decided I would try and get involved in starting a community group and, if people were willing to donate their time and money, we could bring about some improvements ourselves.
“The announcement from the council is really welcome.
“The nets really need replaced sooner rather than later, with the tennis season starting in earnest this month.
“It would also be good to know what the limits on the council are and if there is fundraising that could be done which could pay for things that go over and above what the council is able to do.”
July marks ten years since Wimbledon hotshot ace Andy Murray arrived at Brodie Park to officially unveil plans for a £160,000 refurbishment of the run-down courts.
Andy was joined by his mum Judy, brother Jamie and Davis Cup teammates Colin Fleming and James Ward, who spent an afternoon encouraging Buddies to pick up a racquet.
The project went on to see the courts resurfaced and new nets and lines installed.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “We appreciate the importance of these tennis courts to local players and are happy to work with the community to ensure they remain at a high standard.
“We’re undertaking tree works this month which will improve air flow through the courts, helping them dry quicker and stopping moss from forming.
“We’re also trialling a treatment of lawn sand at the back of the courts which will be repeated if this proves successful.
“When restrictions are lifted to allow tennis to resume fully, the courts will be swept to ensure they are playable for the local community.”
To find out more about the Brodie Park community campaign log on to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1651517585027628 and to donate to fundraising pot go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/BrodieParkTennisCourts?utm_term=WEemn9kkR