'Park of Keir is a big opportunity missed. Andy Murray means everything in terms of British tennis. Without him we would have been bang average,' says Mark Petchey By Heather Dewar Published: 21:28, 27 August 2024 | Updated: 21:37, 27 August 2024 e-mail View comments Mark Petchey has slammed the lack of ambition shown by Scottish authorities after plans for Judy Murray’s community tennis centre were shelved due to spiralling costs, ‘protracted discussions’ and delays over planning.
The former tennis coach - who worked with Andy Murray during his first ever Wimbledon outing in 2005 - told Mail Sport it was a ‘big opportunity missed’. Andy Murray also sarcastically tweeted ‘What a surprise’ in reaction to the news of the centre’s demise. The £20million Park of Keir facility - viewed as a tangible ‘legacy’ for the success of Andy and Jamie Murray - was intended to provide affordable access to leisure for thousands of people of all ages and abilities.
It now won’t go ahead due to significant increases in construction, material, energy and labour costs, a lengthy and uncertain planning process, and protracted discussions with governing bodies. Park of Keir was looked at as an opportunity to create a lasting legacy to the Murrays However, the plans were mired in controversy, with some locals objecting Jamie, Judy and Andy were all behind the plans to build near their home town of Dunblane Petchey - who has just returned from a week at Rafael Nadal ’s tennis.