Rundown tennis courts previously branded “dangerous” by users will reopen this weekend after a major refurbishment.

The crumbling courts in Connaught Park, Dover, were closed eight months ago and a £57,800 grant was secured to refurbish the site.

The improvements mark a huge turnaround as, just last year, they were plagued by broken fencing, slippery surfaces and vandalism.

During a visit in August last year, KentOnline found splits in the hard courts’ surfaces, falling nets, and smashed bottles strewn across the area.

At the time, residents voiced frustration over the state of it.

Angela Condon, from St Margaret’s Bay, said: “They are a danger because of the fencing; the surface is slippery and the nets come down.

“You get lots of idiots in there smashing bottles and leaving rubbish lying about.”

But now, after months of work, the courts are ready to serve the community once again.

From tomorrow (Saturday, April 19), they will be open to the public, with sessions bookable via a new online system.

Dover District Council (DDC), which runs the site, says the digital booking platform – accessed through an online portal – will allow residents to reserve their time on court in advance, helping manage peak-time demand and keep the courts in top condition.

An access-controlled gate system, now a standard feature across many public courts in the UK, has also been installed.

The Deal and Dover Park Tennis Community Interest Company (CIC), formerly the Marke Wood Tennis Hub, will oversee the day-to-day running of the courts.

The CIC, which already manages the Marke Wood Tennis Courts in Walmer, will work with the LTA to roll out a programme of community activities at Connaught Park.

Free, weekly park tennis sessions for all ages and skill levels – with equipment provided – will launch in July as part of the initiative to make tennis more accessible.

Regular players can also benefit from a £40 season ticket, which allows a family of four unlimited access to both the Connaught Park and Marke Wood courts throughout the year.

David Parish, DDC’s head of property assets, welcomed the reopening: “We are very pleased to see this exciting renovation complete, and to welcome this new investment in tennis facilities in Dover.

“The refurbishment of the courts at Connaught will offer a great opportunity for local residents of all ages to enjoy tennis in a beautiful park setting and improve their health while having fun.”

The project was funded by a grant of £57,800 from the Lawn Tennis Association Tennis Foundation, as part of a nationwide investment to refurbish public courts and open up the sport to many more people.

LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd added: “We are delighted to have worked with Dover District Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active.

“This investment will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come.”