Youngsters enjoy some tennis coaching at the new MUGA in Phear Park on Saturday. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref exe 5264-26-12SH To order your copy of this photograph visit www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24

A weekend of events marked the unveiling of Phear Park’s newly-refurbished £200,000 tennis courts and games area.

Several hundred people of all ages turned out to play on the three improved and resurfaced tennis courts and multi-use games area (MUGA), opened by new town mayor John Humphreys just two days before the start of Wimbledon.

Other guests included Exmouth Tennis Centre manger Jo Louis, the Lawn Tennis Association’s facilities manager Colin Corline and LED chief executive Peter Gilpin.

The new sports areas follows Exmouth residents voting last year on how best to use £50,000 cash from developers (106 money) to improve sports provision in Exmouth and choosing the project suggested by LED’s Mike Hooper.

A total of £94,000 came from the Lawn Tennis Association via Sport England, £18,000 from Devon County Council’s sale of Exeter Airport with the rest coming from LED, supported by East Devon District Council.

The line up of events included a tennis demonstration, ‘cardio’ tennis exercise classes, five-a-side football, a basket ball shoot out, zumba, and a doubles tennis tournament.

Jo Louis said: “I am absolutely delighted with the courts we now have quality courts that people can use all year round and they are a fantastic asset for Exmouth.

“It was great they were opened just before Wimbledon; many people get inspired to play at this time of year.

“There was a lot of interest; there must have been a couple of hundred people here over the weekend.”

Mayor Humphries said: “Since I was a boy at school here the town’s facilities have improved greatly and the tennis centre is a real bonus.

“Now we can add to the facilities with these refurbished courts.

“Exmouth Town Council, in particular my colleagues Brenda Taylor, Alison Greenhalgh and Bill Nash, have been enthusiastic supporters of this project and we are delighted to see it up and running.”

LED Chief Executive Peter Gilpin said: “As a charitable social enterprise, LED were extremely proud to have worked with our partners to provide such a fantastic community facility for Exmouth.”

The MUGA is free to use; the courts are heavily subsidised and cost £2.50 for adults and £1.70 for children. Bookings at Withycombe Tennis Centre.