A proposed community sports facility, viewed as a ‘legacy’ to the careers of Andy and Jamie Murray, has been ditched after planning delays and spiralling costs led to it becoming ‘unviable’.
The £20million Park of Keir facility — inspired by the success of Scotland’s tennis superstars and driven by their mother, Judy — was intended to provide affordable access to leisure for thousands of people of all ages and abilities.
Designed, built and operated by charitable organisation The Murray Play Foundation, the project aimed to grow the sports of tennis, pickleball and padel and was to include indoor and outdoor courts, gym, an exercise studio, soft play and a multi-use games area.
However, just weeks after Sir Andy bowed out of the sport at the Paris Olympics, the flagship facility set to be built near the Murrays home town of Dunblane has been abandoned.
A mural of Murray was this week unveiled at Dunblane Sports Club, where he learned to play
Andy Murray celebrates his second Wimbledon triumph in 2016 after beating Milos Raonic
In a statement, a combination of factors were given for the decision, including significant increases in construction, material, energy and labour costs, a lengthy and uncertain planning process, and protracted discussions with governing bodies.
Mail Sport understands that despite the best efforts of The Murray Play Foundation, there was a significant funding gap of more than £5m that would need to be plugged for the project to go ahead.
Judy Murray has fought for over a decade to ensure her sons’ success left a fitting legacy
A spokesperson for the Murray Play Foundation said: ‘It is with deep regret and sorrow that we bring this project to an end, and with it a unique opportunity for a sporting legacy from the careers of two young men from Dunblane who reached the top of their sport and inspired countless people to play the game.
‘The Murray family is proud of what they have contributed to tennis in the UK and remain committed to growing the game and persuading governments, sports governing bodies and others of the significant health, social and economic benefits that flow from sustained investment in sport and physical activity.’
As Mail Sport exclusively reported only last month, the Scottish Government had given its backing to the project, confirming that £5m of sportscotland funding had been provisionally allocated for its development.
Reacting to the news that the facility would no longer go ahead, however, First Minister John Swinney said: ‘We are committed to working with the Murray family to explore alternative options that will deliver a tangible and fitting legacy to their enormous contribution to sport in Scotland and across the world.’
Forbes Dunlop, chief executive of sportscotland, said: ‘We have been in discussion with Judy and her team as she developed her plans and had made a provisional commitment of £5m towards the project.
We are aware, however, that Judy has made the difficult decision not to take the project forward.
‘We will sit down with Judy and the Murray family to look at other options for delivering a legacy for Andy and Jamie’s phenomenal careers.’
Judy Murray has fought for over a decade to see the project realised. Mail Sport understands that discussions with the LTA and sportscotland continue, but it remains unclear what steps, if any, will be taken to resolve the current crisis.
