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The upgrade of Rhymney tennis courts has been completed – three months after the original completion date. 

The courts, which are located on the Terrace, are one of six tennis venues that were set to be renovated across Caerphilly County Borough.

The UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation have provided £377,828.22 towards the upgrades while Caerphilly County Borough Council has invested £135,829.11.

Work began in May as planned, and a council spokesperson previously told Caerphilly Observer in April 2023: “We are hopeful that all upgraded facilities as listed will be completed and in use by [the] start of July 2023”. 

Then, in a statement released on July 28, the council said all six courts would be complete by late July.

However, the tennis courts were plagued with delays caused by contractor availability, necessary work that was initially unaccounted for as well as vandalism – meaning that by August the courts were still incomplete. 

The delays caused frustration among Rhymney residents, who could not use the courts throughout the summer months. 

Rhymney resident Alison Jones, who lives opposite the courts told Caerphilly Observer in mid-July that work had started on the courts – but had stopped, leaving the facilities possibly worse than before. 

“The whole tennis season,” said Alison, “it’s been unusable.”

In a public post on his Facebook page on October 18, Labour councillor for Twyn Carno, Carl Cuss published a response from the council’s corporate director for economy and environment, Mark S Williams, who wrote: “We have had a number of issues with contractor availability over the summer as well as those issues set out below.

“There’s been a lot of additional work which has taken time to arrange. 

“The removal of the surrounding vegetation was not accounted for in the original contract, but we’ve now had them to do this as an extra so not to damage the new surface.

“Work has also suffered due to high levels of vandalism. Plant, machinery, welfare facilities and materials are continually being vandalised which is a factor contributing to setbacks.” 

One particular incident included a break-in which saw 150 kerb edgings smashed – these then needed to be re-ordered. 

Mr Williams added that the surface will need time to “cure” meaning that the courts will not be painted until spring 2024 and that the department is “liaising with the police for details to progress an insurance claim, if in place”.

On October 25, a council spokesperson confirmed that the contractors have completed their works – but added they are waiting for a confirmation of the opening date.