A multi-million pound St Albans sport centre, destroyed in a devastating fire in 2011, will benefit from £1million investment when it opens next month.
The boost has been pledged by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Sport England to help rebuild Batchwood Sports Centre just in time for its grand opening in May.
The LTA has invested £600,000 in the new facility and the new state-of-the-art centre is also supported by £500,000 in funding for tennis and judo facilities from Sport England’s Iconic Facilities fund.
St Albans District Council has already rebuilt new golf and bowls pavilions and re-laid the bowls green which were also destroyed in the fire.
The facility will continue to provide tennis coaching for players of all levels, from beginners to the elite. There are six indoor tennis courts and a range of other sports and fitness facilities. These include, refurbished squash courts, a 48-station gym, a strength and conditioning suite and a judo dojo training facility.
John Golding, LTA operations manager said: "The forthcoming opening of Batchwood is very good news for tennis and comes at a particularly exciting time in St Albans. It is fantastic that such high level facilities will be available to players of all abilities and experience from throughout the community."
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