Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre in St Albans is to double its current number of indoor courts available over the winter and provide a mini tennis area for children thanks to funding of £500,000.

The grants – £187,500 from the LTA and British Tennis Foundation along with £110,000 from St Albans City & District Council and £173,000 from Leisure Connection, which manages the facility – have paid for a new double skin airhall to cover outside courts during the winter months.

The airhall is now in place, but will be taken down for the summer period and then rebuilt in a few months’ time.

The grant will also cover the resurfacing and painting of five courts during the summer and two further outdoor courts becoming part of a new Mini Tennis area, incorporating six Mini Red Tennis courts and an activity area for young players.

A ramp to allow wheelchair players to access the courts is also being added.

Kevin Tighe, head of leisure services at St Albans City & District Council, said: “Tennis plays an important part in the sporting life of the area and this extension of indoor and junior facilities is sure to benefit local players of all ages and abilities.”

Originally opened in 1988 with funding from the British Tennis Foundation; The All England Club, Wimbledon and the Sports Council (now Sport England) in partnership with the local authority, the centre was the country’s first indoor Pay and Play facility.