Year-round access to tennis in Peterborough has been transformed following the addition of a third indoor court at City of Peterborough Tennis Club, thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Augean Community Fund.
The new facility is already helping the club meet growing demand and provide reliable, all-weather access to the sport. Previously, just two indoor courts served the entire city, limiting opportunities for coaching, training and casual play, particularly during the winter months.
To address this, the club set out to increase capacity and improve accessibility. A significant breakthrough came when the All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon) donated a high-quality air dome, allowing the club to deliver a third indoor court at a fraction of the usual cost. Funding from the Augean Community Fund supported the transport, installation and site preparation required to bring the project to life.
The total project cost was £192,000, considerably lower than the £300,000+ typically required to develop a new indoor tennis facility. With additional fundraising and in-kind contributions, the project was delivered on time and within budget.
Since opening in June 2025, the impact has been immediate. Over the first 11 months of operation there were over 1,700 bookings, for over 2,500 hours of tennis (as well as Pickleball) providing additional opportunities for people to play, learn and compete regardless of the weather.
The additional capacity is also enabling the club to expand its inclusive programmes, supporting people who may otherwise face barriers to participation. This includes individuals from low-income backgrounds, people with disabilities and those experiencing social isolation, helping to improve both physical and mental wellbeing.
Bill Skead, Tennis Section Manager, said:
“Thanks to the generous grant from the Augean Community Fund, this new facility is having and will continue to have a huge impact on the number of adults and juniors we can introduce to the game. It increases playing hours for existing members and allows us to grow our inclusive tennis programmes.”
The club has already seen increased participation in junior sessions and beginner-level adult coaching, with school holiday camps regularly reaching capacity. The additional court also enables more matches, training sessions and events to take place throughout the year, helping to retain members during the winter season and strengthen the club’s long-term sustainability.
Beyond participation, the project is also delivering wider community benefits. It has supported the creation and retention of 1.5 full-time equivalent roles and is helping to build a stronger financial foundation for the club, enabling continued investment in facilities, coaching and outreach.
The project also demonstrates a practical and sustainable approach to development. By repurposing the donated air dome, the club significantly reduced both the environmental impact and overall cost, showing how innovative solutions can help make ambitious community projects more achievable.
Ultimately, the project is about more than just a new facility. It is about creating opportunities, improving wellbeing and ensuring that more people in Peterborough can access quality sporting facilities all year round.
For more information about the club and to get involved, visit: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/CityofPeterboroughTennisClub
