CLARK Contracts’ completion of the £4.5 million build of the Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre (ITC) at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh has been marked at an official opening ceremony.
Professor Richard A. Williams, principal and vice chancellor of the learning institute, was joined by Scotland’s sports minister, Maree Todd MSP, in unveiling a plaque marking the official opening of the facility.
Work first began on the centre in September 2022 and its doors were opened to the public in December last year, with the build being funded in a partnership between Oriam, Heriot-Watt University, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), LTA Tennis Foundation, SportScotland, and Tennis Scotland.
The centre has been described as a ‘welcome boost’ to both the local community and future Scottish tennis athletes, with it already being home to the Oriam tennis programme and the Heriot-Watt University tennis class – hosting all classes, training, and competitions.
The university added that the facilities have the potential to be a ‘major’ asset for the future of tennis in Scotland and said that further sporting partnerships are ‘sure to flourish’ as the centre becomes established in the area.
Ross Campbell, executive director of Oriam, said, “It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the project team here at Oriam working alongside our partners that we can now celebrate the addition of this wonderful facility to Oriam’s roster of first-class facilities.
“Since opening late last year, we have had an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the tennis community and I look forward to welcoming more players to these courts in the months and years to come.
“The arrival of the ITC is a commitment to Scotland’s sporting success and I’d encourage anyone, at any level, who is interested in tennis to get in touch to book a court or to find out more about our classes.”
Maree Todd MSP added, “I’m very pleased to mark the official opening of this world-class indoor tennis facility. It will have a positive impact on the local and student communities, providing more and better opportunities to play tennis all year round, in an affordable, inclusive space.”
