A NEW indoor tennis centre has been confirmed for a Scottish town.
The more than £2.3 million project, supported by the Transforming Scotland's Indoor Tennis (TSIT) programme, will bring a building holding three courts to Dumfries.
The King George V tennis centre, expected to open in 2025, will provide playing space to 11 clubs and almost 1000 players across Dumfries and Galloway.
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Chief executive of sportscotland Forbes Dunlop said: “This is another important development for tennis in Scotland.
"This new indoor tennis centre in Dumfries is a fantastic example of what can be delivered when we work in partnership across the sporting sector.
“Our aim with the TSIT fund was to improve year-round access to tennis in key areas across Scotland and this is a significant milestone in that journey."
The TSIT programme is funded by sportscotland, Tennis Scotland, LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and the LTA Tennis Foundation, and provided over £1.7m for construction.
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Dumfries and Galloway Council also provided nearly £500,000 for the project, which with funding gathered from the community brought the total to £2.3m.
The tennis centre will include a raised viewing area, office space and accessible changing area.
The announcement comes as two indoor tennis centres opened in Scotland this year, a four-court £1.63m venue in Elgin and a six-court tennis centre in Edinburgh, which cost £4.5m.
Dumfries and Galloway Council leader Gail Macgregor said: “I’m delighted to see this project moving forward.
"Our council has committed half a million pounds towards the costs and this clear commitment is a strong sign of the importance we place on this facility, and indeed of facilities of its nature.
"Having such an accessible facility in our largest town in the region will not only be excellent for local tennis players, but will attract people into the region, boosting the local economy."
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