Push for permanent beach tennis home

A beach tennis promoter is to highlight proposals for a purpose-built home for the sport at an international tournament this weekend.

And he says the plans — showing a six court set-up with a three-floor building housing changing rooms, a café and function areas — could serve up a new stream of income for the island’s tourist industry.

Tony Brannon, who had the plans drawn up after bringing the sport to Bermuda several years ago and who has also ran the successful John Lennon Double Fantasy tribute concert, said: “The problem is making a decision — this would be a public/private partnership and would need Government backing. It’s public land as well. The plans will be on display during the beach tennis weekend – Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell will be presenting the prizes and I really want to get him on board.”

The plans propose a ground floor with changing rooms, equipment storage space and toilets, while the main floor would hold concessions, storage, offices and a function area.

The open air rooftop level would feature a bigger function space and a promenade with views over Horseshoe Beach.

Mr Brannon told the Bermuda Sun last week that the fast-growing sport had proved a major hit in places like the Caribbean holiday island of Aruba.

Teams from Brazil, Italy, the USA and France will add a touch of international glamour to the two-day Bermuda event, which runs over Saturday and Sunday at Horseshoe Beach. Mr Brannon brought the tournament, which is held under International Tennis Federation rules, to Bermuda a year after it took off in Aruba.

But he said hotels and government in Aruba had backed the new sport, leading to around 500 regular players in the country and an annual international tournament which attracts 4-500 players a year.

Mr Brannon said: “We could do the same here – but it needs to be on a beach and next to a beach bar and with some sort of food service.” n

This weekend’s event runs 10am to around 6pm both days and entry is free. Catering will be provided by the Horseshoe Beach café concession.