Major investment in Swanage’s Beach Gardens as the councils are being refurbished

Two more tennis courts at Swanage Tennis Club in Dorset, have been resurfaced with astro turf after the club raised £39,000 including a £15,000 donation from Swanage Town Council.

Significant investment in sports facilities now means there is a total of star astro turf tennis courts at Beach Gardens off De Moulham Road, which also has an 18 hole pitch and putt, Swanage Bowling Club, basketball court, and tearooms.

Ribbon cutting ceremony

On hand to officially open the two new courts on Tuesday 7 December 2026 were Swanage Mayor Mike Bonfield and his deputy Chris Tomes, as well as club chairman Phil Stevens, as well as members of the tennis club including other rising stars of the future.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Swanage Tennis Club’s Phil Stevens said:

“This is a great benefit for the club and I would like to thank the council for their support. The new astro turf is very easy on the joints and generally many members of the club feel that it plays well. It is very hard working and absorbs water well which makes it work all year round.

“The tennis court is a real asset by the sea and is part of the reason I moved to Swanage a few years ago.

“We are also slowly building a junior section and we have a great coach Ryan Trickey who is doing a great job of encouraging local schools to get involved in tennis.

“We’re always fighting against other sports like football and cricket to attract young members, but it’s only £20 a year for under-18s to join a tennis club – anyone interested is very welcome!”

School competition

Each year the tennis club runs a tournament for local schools so that the facilities can be enjoyed by the wider community.

Beach Gardens Sports Park is owned by Swanage Town Council and 12 per cent of tennis club membership fees are paid to the council. On the other hand the council helps to maintain the buildings in partnership with the group.

In 2016, the first two courts were astro turfed, and the third was converted to astro turf in 2022. The fourth and fifth courts were also astro turfed in March 2026, although this was slightly delayed by wet weather.

Funding for the restoration of courts four and five was achieved by the tennis club which raised around £24,000 and the court contributed £15,000.

Anyone wishing to play tennis at Beach Gardens does not need to join a club to play, they can book a court in advance for a small fee at the Tea on the Green cafe or the Swanage Information Center on Shore Road.

There are six tennis courts and a basketball court that are expected to be improved in the future.

Important for the well-being of local residents

Swanage Mayor Mike Bonfield said:

“Ensuring that the beach and tennis courts are well maintained is very important for the well-being of local residents.

“The council has also invested in upgrading the Tea on the Green cafe which is a very popular summer spot for a light meal away from the crowds.

“It has been a pleasure to join the tennis team who have worked so well together to provide the renovation of the tennis courts.

“As a council, as well as investing in Beach Gardens, we have supported the skating rink in King George, transformed two children’s playgrounds in Swanage, and are working towards a new sports center and 3G at the football pitch.

“If the community can prove that there is a need for better facilities then the court tries to see that those needs are met.

“Our court staff have worked hard to deliver two more astro turf tennis courts and I thank them for all they do – a lot goes on behind the scenes to ensure such success!”

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