The town of Galashiels is set to gain a major boost to its sporting infrastructure after the school’s campus secured over £1.5 million to create a multi‑court tennis and padel centre.
New all‑weather courts to support year‑round play
The courts will be delivered as part of the recently completed £64 million Galashiels community campus. The project, funded through the national Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) initiative, will be managed locally by Live Borders in partnership with Scottish Borders Council.
Work will establish three covered artificial clay tennis courts beneath a canopy, together with two covered padel courts. The courts will feature smart access controls and LED floodlighting. Building work is due to begin immediately, with the centre expected to open in early 2027.
“This is a fantastic investment for the Scottish Borders that will leave a lasting legacy for both our young people and the wider community,”
Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine said the development would create opportunities across age groups and abilities and provide the region with its first covered tennis courts alongside new padel provision.
What this means for the Borders
The new facility is intended to bolster the local racket‑sport scene. There are currently 12 registered tennis clubs in the Borders with more than 1,500 playing members; the covered courts will provide an all‑year base for coaching, club play and community use, while the padel courts respond to growing demand for the sport.
- Operator: Live Borders
- Funding: more than £1.5 million via the TSIT partnership
- Facilities: 3 covered artificial clay tennis courts + 2 covered padel courts
- Target opening: early 2027
The TSIT programme — delivered by the LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland and Tennis Scotland — aims to expand indoor provision across Scotland. Galashiels will be the fourth venue delivered through the scheme, following sites including Oriam in Edinburgh, Moray Sports Centre and the King George V complex in Dumfries & Galloway.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Galashiels Academy campus |
| Number of tennis courts | 3 (covered, artificial clay) |
| Number of padel courts | 2 (covered) |
| Operator | Live Borders |
| Projected opening | Early 2027 |
For local clubs and schools, covered courts remove a major seasonal barrier to participation in tennis and provide a stable venue for coaching and competitions. The addition of padel courts will also attract players to a fast‑growing recreational sport, potentially widening the catchment for indoor racket sports across the Borders.
Further practical details on booking arrangements, community access and pricing have not yet been published. Project partners have indicated construction will start straight away, and more information is expected as the build progresses through the autumn and into next year.
