THE controversial dome structure of the Kingsley Tennis Centre has been taken down after 20 years of service. The inflatable air hall, which was once regarded by residents as a 'blot on the landscape' hosted its last game on Sunday 29 April. With the help of 15 club members, the new owners and friends of the centre, the air hall was dismantled and stowed away for the journey to it's new home in Suffolk. The demolition of the air hall will make way for a new, and more conventional solid structure indoor court. The director and centre manager, Colin Jakeway said: "It was sad to see the dome coming down after such a long time. It has provided opportunities for hundreds of kids and adults to learn to play the game and encouraged many of them to go on to be either players or teaching professionals. We worked out that we have had over 5,000 juniors through the door, and have trained individuals to a national standard. "The dome may well have been an unusual sight in some people's eyes but it was a much needed facility, much like the new four court solid structure that will be replacing it." "Twenty years ago, when the dome was bright white and there wasn't much tree cover, it was really noticeable. It caused a lot of controversy, and people would tell us it looked like an RAF communications site when it was all lit up at night." The Kinglsey Tennis Centre is a family run business, that was opened by the parents of current director, Colin. He said: "It was initially my mother's idea to create an air hall tennis centre here. It was a huge risk at the time, but it worked and the club has moved forward. "We have had some problems with the structure, the most notable being during a big storm shortly after we opened. "The plastic covering of the hall split right down the middle, meaning the hall deflated. We sent it off for repairs in Belgium, and we were reopened within three weeks." The changes, although welcomed by some residents, are taking some getting used to by the centre staff. "Now the dome has suddenly disappeared, and everything looks very bare. It seems very strange to look out and see the landscape changing. But we are very excited about the new changes. "The building work is all being done with a view to expand our community programme and our development work. We want to increase our coaching programme to fit more closely with the Lawn Tennis Association guidelines and provide more opportunities at the development end of the game for new people to come and enjoy the game of tennis," said Colin. The work on the new building started on Tuesday and will last for 16 weeks. The club is still open during building work. For more information call 01420 489492.
