‘Best value tennis club in the UK’ Canoe Lake flourishing since first lockdown ended

But the belief still remains that the state-of-the-art tennis, sports and community venue can come out the other side of the latest shutdown thriving again.

Just as some grassroots sports clubs are having grave concerns over uncertain financial futures and participation brought on by the pandemic, the Southsea-based leisure site has flourished.

Tennis, along with golf, is one of few sports that lends itself to comply with social distancing measures in a Covid-19 world, and Canoe Lake’s numbers have never been healthier.

Membership numbers rocketed last year by more than 100 and usage rates across the 18 courts reached an all-time high with people using tennis to get their sporting fix.

There have been some bumps along the way - and being forced to close down the site until mid-February at the earliest is not ideal - but it's something Canoe Lake Leisure CEO John Cooke can take in his stride given how things have gone since last summer.

‘Covid is very tough,' he admitted.

'There’s no play at the moment so that obviously hits the revenue.

‘It could be worse and because of the increase in membership from the first lockdown, that’s been a real benefit to see so many people playing on the courts, both pay and play and members as well.

‘The participation numbers have been really, really good.

'Tennis, naturally, lends itself to social distancing so a lot of time sports like tennis and golf were the only things you could play for a little while.

‘This current lockdown, lockdown three or whatever it is, has been a bit tougher.

‘We’ve got 400 members now and we’ve got pay and play as well, so you don’t need to be a member. There are a lot of people who are not able to play for a period.

'The court usage rate - when we’ve been open and allowed to - is the highest it’s ever been, so it’s been great.

'I don’t want to lose this momentum. When we reopen, hopefully around March time, then I’m sure it’ll be just as busy again.'

Cooke, 50, one of the three Canoe Lake Leisure founders, oversaw the multi-million pound project which saw a two-storey pavilion installed in 2016 while eight grass courts were upgraded to tournament grade standard.

There are other eight courts - six of which are high performance, artificial grass, while a further two hard courts were relaid.

Basketball and netball courts are also part of the site while the pavilion boasts a bar and restaurant, Cafe Fresco.

Cooke believes the facilities - particularly the tennis ones - have helped attract a 'new type of player' in these changing times since the summer.

‘We had a lot of team sport players join for the first time as well because they couldn’t play team sports,' said Cooke.

‘It’s certainly attracted a new type of player. We’ve got a very comprehensive coaching programme for beginners and juniors all the way through to advanced adults. That’s been really well attended.

‘Considering the facilities we offer, the award-winning pavilion in terms of architecturally and in terms of the bar and terrace upstairs and studios downstairs, and they’ve got 18 tennis courts available to them with different services.

‘It’s probably the best value tennis club in the UK for the facilities that are on offer.'

Doubt remains over when Cooke might be able to welcome players back onto the courts, though he is optimistic play might resume before April.

He has no complaints about the sport being brought to another halt after being allowed to continue in areas placed under the previous tier four restrictions.

‘It’s a tough balancing act (with Covid-19),' he added.

‘If it was just the tennis I could understand it, but because they’ve banned nearly all grassroots sports now, apart from elite sports, other sports could look at it and feel as if they’re being hard done to.

‘I can understand the consistent message the government are trying to put across by banning tennis and golf, even though they’re sports that don’t really involve any contact whatsoever.

‘I can understand that they’re trying to put out a consistent message.

'It’s very unfortunate and I feel sorry for the members, but we’re extending everyone’s membership by the appropriate amount so no-one will lose out at all.'