Glasgow community group rallies against closure of local tennis courts
In the argument over what can be defined is a socially-distant sport, even Judy Murray has weighed in on the debate.
Queen's Park Community Tennis showed how tennis can be socially distant and majorly hampered without the correct facilities. (Image: Queen's Park Community Tennis)
A group of south side residents have protested against the closure of the Queen's Park tennis courts until January, describing it as a "scrooge-like move".
Players at Friends of Queen's Park Tennis met in the park for a socially distant game, with one standing in a puddle and another on next to path, in a stand against what they describe as "a wave of cryptic, confusing measures from Glasgow Life that are negatively impacting our courts".
On October 3rd, Glasgow Life announced that Queens Park tennis courts will remain closed until 4pm on weekdays. Prior to this, the courts had been open from 10am each day.
The group claims this was "a 'stealth' closure made without consultation or communication" which resulted in the opening hours over the week dropping by 38%.
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After a number of complaints made to Glasgow City Council, full opening hours were restored at the tennis courts.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Queen's Park Tennis group told Glasgow Live: "Without any consultation, last Friday it was suddenly announced that the courts would shut all day from the 12th Dec to 5th Jan. On Saturday the nets were removed from the courts.
"And so, despite being fully booked by eager players on most days, and despite QPCT having multiple club sessions planned, in an excessively Scrooge like move, the courts are now closed for Xmas, a time many of us like to get together and play.
"I think it's of utmost importance that 'stealth' closures like this are challenged. Especially when so few safe options for outdoor social activity are available at the moment.
"I would add that many elderly people use the Queens Park courts, and, during the holidays, loads of kids play there too. In short, the Queens Park courts are an important and valued community asset. The root of the problem seems to be Glasgow Life imposing extreme health and safety measures on the site by insisting that two staff members are at the courts at all times. It seems they cannot afford these measures.
"So rather than consulting with the community who use the courts about work-arounds and solutions, they have just shut down the facility. "
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The group added that despite press coverage claiming that all public tennis facilities are closed during Christmas, pre-pandemic the courts have always been open at Christmas.
"We challenge that and point to the fact that, up until Covid, the courts were open all the time, including Christmas. We would also point out that The Meadows, a similar outdoor public facility in Edinburgh run by Edinburgh Leisure have confirmed that their courts are unstaffed to reduce risk of contact.
"So we would ask: what are the safety measures in place that have demanded a) two members of staff on site at all times b) the closure of the courts because Glasgow Life seem to not be able to afford to keep two people on site at all times?
"We would ask: what safety benefits are there to having two people locked in an office all day, paying no attention to the courts?"
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They added that the facilities in the park including the football pitch and the mini-gym are not monitered by staff, and that tennis is arguably a 'naturally socially distant sport.
"We need to amplify this issue, as we consider it an augur for what might happen to other sporting facilities in the city in coming months and years. In short, we think Glasgow Life are acting with contempt for the communities they claim to support."
Weighing in on the argument this week was tennis legend Judy Murray, who asked Glasgow Life on Twitter: "Come on @glasgowlife. Both of these wonderful park sites are so well used and vital for local communities. Close them in the evenings if you have to. But keep them open during the day."
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life told Glasgow Live: "In the lead up to Christmas, we see outdoor sport participation drop off and, as we have done in previous years, we have temporarily closed outdoor tennis facilities ahead of the festive period.
"Indoor tennis courts, gyms, swimming pools, sports halls, squash courts and pitches remain available at 5 major venues across the city delivering unrivalled access to facilities for people in Glasgow.
"Glasgow Life venues continue to operate within current guidance to keep everyone there safe despite the considerable ongoing challenges we face because of the global pandemic."