Eastbourne Today praises Francis and Gemma Mackie

Driving force behind project

I am a close neighbour of Gildredge Park and pass through it on a daily basis on my way to and from work.

Having observed over the last nine months how the Eastbourne Community Tennis (ECT) facility has breathed new life back into what had become a festering and forgotten corner of the park I thought it was high time we gave credit to those responsible.

Both Francis and Gemma Mackie have been the driving force for this project, securing LTA funding for the recent redevelopment which now provides a superb facility and social hub for the whole community.
Eastbourne Borough Council should also be given due credit for their ongoing support. However the council cannot sit on its laurels until it addresses the need for additional parking which this type of attraction places on the immediate neighbourhood.

The council should now consider providing a dedicated parking area adjacent to the club house for users of the ECT Tennis In The Park facility.

Such temporary, even seasonal, parking would not have to be detrimental to the park as a 'grassed' vehicle accessible surface could be readily produced.

Click here to see full article: http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/letters/Driving-force-behind-project.6231987.jp

Click here to go back to the blog