Dumfries and Galloway councillors Maureen Johnstone (right) and Lynne Davis,take the first swing at the site© Les Snowdon

The first sods were cut today to signal the start of construction for the new £2.3m three-court indoor tennis centre at the King George V sports complex in Dumfries.

Being constructed by Dumfries and Galloway Council and Heathhall-based Ashleigh, it is due to open by the end of the year as a base to grow the sport in the region, which already has 11 registered clubs and close to 1,000 playing members in its communities.

The total cost of the build will now be £2,361,937 with “a challenging financial climate and increased costs in the construction industry” said to be behind the rise from original projections of £2m.

Tennis Scotland chief executive, Blane Dodds (centre) with LTA investment manager Sophie Curthoys (left) and Councillor Maureen Johnstone, chairperson of the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee© Les Snowdon

Nearly £1.7million of the funding has come from the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis fund – operated by The Lawn Tennis Association, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland and Tennis Scotland – and includes a £211,347 loan to Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Alongside the loan, the council has provided nearly £500,000.

And, after the organisations involved put in a “concerted effort” to find additional funding to ensure the project goes ahead, the Dumfries-based Holywood Trust have stepped in with £200,000.

Dumfries and Galloway Council said the ‘centre of excellence’ will have a firm focus on growing participation among all ages and abilities and will be an inclusive, accessible and affordable facility providing more opportunities for people to play tennis year round.

The facility, with a fabric roof, will be run by Queen of the South FC under a service level agreement, and will also have a link building with new toilet facilities, a changing area and an office for coaches – all connecting the new courts to the existing pavilion.

As the diggers moved in yesterday on the site of the former run-down outside courts, and taking the first swing, Councillor Maureen Johnstone, chairperson of the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee, said: “I’m delighted to see this project moving forward. 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.”

LTA officials, contractors and councillors at the official sod cutting ceremony this morning for the new £2.3m indoor tennis centre© Les Snowdon

She was joined at the site by Tennis Scotland chief executive, Blane Dodds; sportscotland head of facilities Mark Cowan; LTA investment manager Sophie Curthoys; and committee vice chairperson, councillor Lynne Davis who said: “There is a real enthusiasm around the project, and this time next year, we’ll be stood here, in a tennis centre.”

She added: ““I would like to thank the key partners and stakeholders who have been on this journey with us and allowed for this work to commence. Without partnership working across all sectors, we would not be able to offer up such a wonderful facility, that will be a huge asset to the region in the short, medium and longer term.”

Mr Dodds said he hopes it will encourage more people to “pick up a racket” and Mr Dunlop added: “This is not just about the bricks and mortar; it’s about creating an environment where people can enjoy the sport of tennis and progress to whatever level they aspire to”.

It will be the third indoor tennis centre built in Scotland recently with help from the TSIT fund. The four-court £1.63m centre in Elgin, operated by Moray Sports Centre, and the £4.5m six-court Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre in Edinburgh are both seeing high numbers of players since opening in recent months.

Spades in by David Roan of the contractors, Ashleigh, and Lynne Davis, vice chair of the education, skills and community committee© Les Snowdon

Mr Dodds added: ““It’s exciting to see work starting on the new indoor tennis centre in Dumfries and Galloway. This is a significant moment for the ongoing expansion of facilities across Scotland, ensuring year-round access to tennis for new and existing players, whether it’s to compete and improve or just for fun.

“We want to make tennis accessible to everyone right across Scotland and, having already opened new centres in Edinburgh and Elgin over the past year, this facility will provide further momentum for our growing sport, which is inspiring more people than ever to pick up a racket.

“Thank you to all our partners the LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Holywood Trust for their hard work on this project and we look forward to the new centre opening soon.”

Colin Kennedy of Dumfries and Galloway tennis on site© Les Snowdon

Scott Lloyd, CEO of the LTA said: “We are delighted that construction for this important tennis facility in Dumfries is now underway. The LTA is committed to investing in Scotland, and more indoor facilities are vital to our ambition to open up tennis to new audiences.

“This new project in Dumfries and Galloway will be a wonderful addition to the existing network of community indoor tennis centres across Scotland. These facilities play a pivotal role in supporting the physical and mental health of people in their local communities. This will enable more people to play throughout the winter months and provide much needed facilities to all the rural communities in the area.’’

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners to drive greater visibility and engagement in tennis and to get more people playing the sport.’’

Mr Dunlop added: “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. I look forward to seeing the impact it has for the local communities and for the sport.”