FREE to use tennis courts in Petersfield could become pay to play in future.

At present, the four courts next to The Avenue Pavilion are open all day and are free to use.

Petersfield Town Council owns the courts and, under a scheme proposed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), it is asking for views on making them pay to play.

Council clerk Neil Hitch said: “The LTA wants to monitor the number of people using courts in parks, and it has approached us with a view to improving the courts at The Avenue.

“The LTA has suggested that a charge is made to use them, and the money used for improving and maintaining the courts.”

It has already been agreed the courts will have to be booked, probably starting in the autumn said Mr Hitch.

And it is hoped that a tennis coach will generate income for the council by hiring the courts for up to 30-hours a week so that paid for tennis lessons can be given.

Mr Hitch said: “The last time the courts were resurfaced, and new nets and lines provided, it cost around £26,000.

“And in the past 18 months three new nets at a cost of about £300 each have had to be bought because of vandalism.”

The booking system will see players given an entry code to unlock the gates, but even with a coach hiring the courts the council is considering charging players for their use to cover maintenance.

One proposal is that tennis families pay a £30 annual subscription for unlimited use; they will get an ‘entry fob’ so they can use the courts without booking if they are free.

Another suggestion is that players pay £5 an hour to use the courts.

Those either in favour of charging to use the courts, or opposed to it, are specifically asked not to telephone but to e-mail them by Friday, September 30, to [email protected]