Eastbourne tennis players' village opens

The new players' village has opened at Devonshire Park '“ just in time for the Aegon International tournament.
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Officials say it is a world class facility and will provide topflight facilities for women’s and men’s tennis.

The glass-fronted two storey building was opened by of Eastbourne mayor Pat Hearn last week.

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Eastbourne Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association jointly funded the building, designed by Levitt Bernstein and constructed by contractor Kier, as part of the £44million Devonshire Quarter scheme.

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Council leader David Tutt said, “This is a fantastic new facility befitting the prestige of the Aegon International and we look forward to the players enjoying all its various benefits next week.

“The development marks a major part of our work with the LTA to improve the tennis offer here, alongside the £44million transformation underway to put Devonshire Quarter on the map as a first-rate international sporting, cultural and conference destination.”

Oliver Scadgell, LTA competitions director, said, “Thanks to our partnership with Eastbourne council, we have been able to embark on this exciting and ground-breaking project in the completion of a new state of the art player facility.

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“This will now enable the Aegon International Eastbourne to provide a significantly enhanced service to the best players in the world when they come to compete at the iconic Devonshire Park.”

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The players’ village incorporates player changing rooms, fitness and physio suites, player lounges and medical facilities.

Other tennis improvements under the Devonshire Quarter scheme include a new show court, new practice courts and increased space around outside match courts allowing players to hit the ball harder and from further off the court when returning serve and during rallies.

The enhancements are underpinned by the recent installation of a modern irrigation system that officials say ensures Eastbourne’s famous grass courts remain in peak condition throughout the year.

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This year’s Aegon International marks the return of the men’s event with a line-up of top players competing including Feliciano Lopez, Richard Gasquet and John Isner.

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The women’s tournament boasts seven out of the top ten WTA players, such as British number one Johanna Konta, defending champion Dominika Cibulkova, former champions Caroline Wozniacki, Agnieszka Radwanska and Svetlana Kuznetsova, and world number three Karolina Pliskova.

The LTA has confirmed the international tennis tournament will continue at Devonshire Park until at least 2026.

Gary Tidmarsh, chairman at Levitt Bernstein, said, “The new players’ village will provide world class facilities and its completion is an important step in the transformation of Devonshire Quarter, together with our proposals for the park’s theatres, new conference centre and open spaces.”

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Steve Cresswell at Kier said, “We’re extremely pleased to have completed the new players’ village at Devonshire Park which provides world-class facilities for women’s and men’s tennis.

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“This fantastic project, delivered through the Scape Minor Works framework, will play a key role in the wider £44million Devonshire Quarter scheme to provide a top quality sporting, cultural and conference destination in Eastbourne.”

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