Viewpark Vision 26 – Transforming Viewpark
Our Viewpark venue has served the club exceptionally well over many years. It laid the foundations for our growth and played a key role in enabling our expansion to our second venue at Burnside.
However, after many years of heavy use and wonderful memories, it is now showing its age and requires investment. The time has come to revitalise Viewpark and create facilities that reflect the ambitions of our club and the expectations of our members.
The Viewpark Vision 26 project will transform the site into a modern, welcoming and sustainable tennis venue - one that will serve both our members and the wider community for the next generation.
The vision
The project brings together four key improvements that will significantly enhance both the playing and social experience at Viewpark.
New artificial clay courts
Our four existing artificial grass courts are now in poor condition and require replacement.
They will be resurfaced with artificial clay courts, identical to those at our Burnside venue. As part of the works, a new tarmac base layer will be installed to eliminate undulations caused by frost and ground movement, restoring a consistently high-quality playing surface.
This is the most urgent element of the project and our immediate priority.
New LED floodlights
The current floodlighting has never fully met the club’s needs and is now deteriorating.
Replacing it with modern, tennis-specific LED lighting will significantly playing conditions and overall experience.
Shipping containers
Following COVID, our marquee became an important space for junior members to gather. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged in a recent storm and had to be removed.
We plan to install shipping containers - offering shelter during poor weather and creating a place for juniors to meet, learn and socialise.
Clubhouse refurbishment
Looking ahead, we plan to refurbish the existing clubhouse to create a more welcoming, accessible and flexible social hub for the club.
Proposed improvements include:
- Modern, gender-neutral toilet facilities at the front of the building
- A welcoming entrance and reception area
- A larger, open-plan kitchen and social space
- A spacious open-plan clubhouse area for relaxing, meetings and events (with gents toilets and changing removed)
- New, comfortable furniture for socialising and working
- Improved insulation, heating and energy efficiency
- Wheelchair access at the front of the building to make our facilities fully accessible
- Enhanced views out onto the courts.
- A raised spectating terrace overlooking the courts to the rear
What will it cost?
The estimated costs for the first three eleents are:
- Court resurfacing – worst case £160,000
(Higher than previously estimated due to the need for a new tarmac base layer, adding approximately £30,000) - New floodlights – approximately £35,000
- Container social spaces – approximately £17,000
We have submitted a planning application for the clubhouse refurbishment. Once approved, we will explore costs in more detail. While these will be significant, we are optimistic about securing grant and/or loan funding to make this a realistic future phase.
How will we pay for it?
We want to replace the courts in October this year. We expect to be there or there abouts with funding by then, but may need a little boost to get this over the line and also retain a rainy day fund so that we are not completely depleting reserves.
We will need to raise additional funds to deliver the floodlighting and container spaces.
Delivering these elements together is the most efficient and cost-effective approach - not least because it avoids the risk of damaging newly installed courts with subsequent works.
Our aim is therefore to bridge this funding gap and deliver these elements as a single, integrated project.
The clubhouse refurbishment will follow, building on this momentum, ideally in 2027.
The faster we close the funding gap, the more of the full vision we can deliver this year.
How can members and supporters help?
There are several ways you can support the Viewpark Vision 26 project and help us deliver the full transformation as quickly as possible.
Making a donation
You can support the project by making a donation via our fundraising page.
All donations will be ring-fenced for the project. If the project does not proceed, donations will be returned.
Pay Membership Up Front
Members can also support the project by paying their membership fees in advance, helping to generate immediate cash.
Options include:
1 year upfront – standard membership payment
3 years upfront – fees frozen at the 2026/27 rate plus a 5% discount
5 years upfront – fees frozen plus a 10% discount
Longer-term memberships will be limited to protect future income and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Support Club Events
We will host a series of social events throughout the year to raise funds for the project, including our Ceilidh on the Courts and other club events.
All profits will contribute directly to the Viewpark Vision fund.
Introduce a Sponsor
We are inviting local businesses to support the club and associate their brand with our upgraded facilities.
Opportunities include:
Viewpark Court Sponsor
Branding across the back of a court on premium windbreakers – £3,000 for three years
Viewpark Net Sponsor
Banner displayed on either side of the net – £300 per year
If you know a business that may be interested, please get in touch.
VP Vision Founder Status
This project will transform the club, and we want to recognise those who help make it happen.
You can become a Viewpark VIP by:
- Committing to 3- or 5-year upfront membership
- Making a donation of £200 or more
- Introducing a new club sponsor
Founders will be recognised in a meaningful and lasting way within the club - celebrating those who played a key role in transforming Viewpark. We don’t know what this looks like yet but we promise it will be exciting!
Looking Ahead
Viewpark has been at the heart of Rutherglen Lawn Tennis Club’s growth for many years.
With the success of our Burnside venue, we now have the opportunity to ensure that both sites offer outstanding facilities for members and the wider community for years to come.
The Viewpark Vision 26 project is the next step in that journey.
With the support of our members and community, we can transform Viewpark into a facility the whole club can be proud of.