Plans for a multi-million pound Andy Murray legacy sports centre near Dunblane have been shelved.
The facility at Park of Keir was intended to honour the careers of the recently retired three-time Grand Slam winner and his older brother Jamie, a seven-time Grand Slam doubles champion.
Their mother Judy Murray was the driving force behind the proposals.
The decision to pull the plug was made last week by the Murray Play Foundation, the charitable organisation set up to build and operate the centre and of which Judy Murray is a trustee.
In a statement the foundation said construction costs plus “a lengthy and uncertain planning process, and protracted discussions with governing bodies” had made the project “unviable”.
‘Deep regret and sorrow’
A foundation spokesperson 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.
“Judy has been involved in promoting sport and tennis her whole life.
“This not-for-profit project was an opportunity to build a base in Scotland that would have lasted beyond her lifetime and given the next generation greater opportunity to access courts, competition, and coaching.
“Over 12 years, Judy has invested significant time and encountered indifference and opposition for much of that period.
“However, she and her team persevered until several factors conspired to leave the project unviable in its current form and we no longer plan to seek a detailed planning consent on the site at Park of Keir.
“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.
“We will now take time to consider what other initiatives might be aligned to the purpose of our charity, which is essentially to provide more people – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – with the opportunity to pursue sport, fitness and physical activity.”
Plans divided residents
The facility was intended to provide affordable leisure facilities to people of all ages and abilities, and to grow the sports of tennis, pickleball and padel by creating a pay-to-play centre with indoor and outdoor courts, gym, exercise studio, soft play, and a multi-use games area.
The foundation had also pledged to develop a workforce of community coaches to promote all three sports across Scotland.
The Lawn Tennis Association had recently agreed to give £5 million towards the project.
But the proposals divided local residents. The development, which also included new housing and a hotel, was earmarked for green belt land, which many opposed.
Stirling Council initially rejected the Park of Keir proposal, but was overruled by the Scottish Government in December 2021, when ministers said the benefits would “outweigh” the loss of green belt land.
‘Build it and they will come’
Judy Murray, a trustee of the Murray Play Foundation, has yet to comment personally on the Park of Keir plans being scrapped.
However, on Monday she posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “On the flight back from NYC I watched Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner and Ray Liotta. Guy who built a baseball field in his backyard. Nobody believed in him except himself + his family. “Build it and they will come”. And they did.
“Struck a chord with me.”
Before his retirement, Sir Andy had said he hoped to see the sports centre become a reality.
“I hope that it happens,” Sir Andy told CNN’S Christiane Amanpour. “Whether it will or not, I don’t know, to be honest.
“My mum has been trying for a long time to try and have a centre that’s there for the community, [and] to have some form of legacy for what me and my brother have achieved throughout our career.
“That hasn’t been the case in Scotland yet.”
Last week, a huge mural of Murray was unveiled at Dunblane Sports Club, where it all began for him and Jamie.
See also: How Dunblane locals want to honour Sir Andy Murray’s legacy
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