WORK on the construction of four new tennis courts at Haddington’s Neilson Park is now under way.

The tennis courts are being moved from their current site to the north-west corner of the park.

Funding of nearly £200,000 has been secured for the work, with generous contributions coming from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Viridor, the Robertson Trust and the Haddington Community Development Trust (HCDT).

It marks a much-needed improvement of the courts, which were last resurfaced in 1973, having been opened nearly 20 years earlier by Provost Fortune.

Brian East, Haddington Tennis Club chairman, was delighted at the progress being made.

He said: “Haddington Tennis Club is looking forward to a new era on the new courts that are being built. The new courts, together with the proposed coaching programme, will be the springboard for the expansion of the club from its current small but regular core back to its highly active state.

“We look forward to welcoming new members of all ages.

“So it is with hardly a backward glance at the poor facility we leave behind that we keenly await the opening of the new courts in the near future.” Work on the all-weather courts, complete with floodlights and practice wall, should – weather permitting – be complete by the end of April.

A plan for the organisation and launch of the new club structure was given the green light at the club’s Annual General Meeting last week.

Mr East added: “Recruiting a club coach is ongoing and will be completed by the end of February; it is hoped that a coaching plan will be published in early March.” Friends of Neilson Park worked in partnership with East Lothian Council in a bid to revive the courts.

That included a presentation at the town’s community council last year, when Alan Blackie, former chief executive of East Lothian Council, stressed the importance of developing and utilising the courts.

He said: “They were last surfaced in 1973 and the surface on High Street is in a better state.

“That’s a really important development, particularly on the back of Andy Murray’s success and funding available to develop tennis throughout various parts of Scotland.” Schools will have access to the courts, as will non-members who want to play.

Councillor Tim Day, the local authority spokesman for community wellbeing, was similarly pleased to see progress being made at the tennis courts.

He said: “East Lothian Council is delighted to be working in partnership with the Friends of Neilson Park and Haddington Tennis Club to grow the sport in the town and surrounding areas.

“It is an exciting time for tennis in East Lothian and the four new floodlit courts in Neilson Park will provide an opportunity for local residents of all ages to learn how to play tennis, join a tennis club and take part in competitions.

“I would like to congratulate the Friends of Neilson park on their hard work to deliver this project.” Meanwhile, a public meeting will be held on March 9 to discuss Haddington Tennis Club’s management of the new courts and discuss public access to the courts for non members. The meeting is at Haddington Rugby Club at 7.30pm.