Tennis courts in North Cardiff parks are among those to be refurbished as part of a partnership between Cardiff Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
The tennis courts at Heath Park and Hailey Park as well as Roath Park Pleasure Gardens will benefit from resurfacing, repainting and new nets, as will Llandaff Fields, Victoria Park and Rumney Hill Gardens, as announced by the council last year.
Over £730,000 is being invested as part of this boost to local sports facilities, with £516,000 coming through the LTA's Park Tennis Project and the rest from Sport Wales and Cardiff Council.
The refurbishments are part of the LTA's Park Tennis Project, through which it is delivering a £30 million investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation to transform thousands of courts across Britain.
The refurbishments at all six locations - including eight existing but currently unplayable courts at Llandaff Fields - and the development of two new courts at each of Rumney Hill Gardens and Hailey Park, are due to begin in the coming weeks, with the new and improved facilities ready to use ahead of Wimbledon.
A combination of free and low-cost tennis is expected to be introduced across the sites, which will be operated by Tennis Wales in the Park, along the lines of that which has run at Heath Park for several years. Currently, family passes at Heath Park cost £39 per year, student passes are £19 per year, and hourly hire is £4.50 per court per hour.
The proceeds will be used to ensure the courts remain well maintained in the future.
Alongside this, Cardiff Council and Tennis Wales in the Park will also work with the LTA to run free trial opportunities, open days and free coaching throughout the year.
This will include weekly organised free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need a playing partner or their own racket.
The refurbished courts will all be available to book through the LTA Play Tennis website.
Cardiff Council cabinet member Jennifer Burke, said: "Investment by the LTA and Tennis Wales in the courts at Heath Park transformed the site from one with very little tennis activity, into a vibrant tennis hub with over 900 players enjoying the courts.
"It's really exceeded our expectations, so it's exciting that with this further investment, the scheme can be rolled out to more areas of the city and help bring the sport to even more people."
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