Club officials have hit out at the mindless actions of vandals after tennis courts were ruined when oil was thrown over them.
For more than 10 years tennis club members and volunteers have worked tirelessly on a project to transform facilities at the Denes Oval in Lowestoft.
And late last year there was joy for Lowestoft Town Tennis and Pickleball club, as they served up a treat with newly renovated courts and floodlights.
With further improvements planned as part of a three-phase project to upgrade facilities on the North Denes site, new Pickleball courts are set to be opened next year.
But there was dismay from club members and local tennis players this week after some of the recently resurfaced tennis courts were damaged when oil was thrown over them.
Cans of oil were thrown over the fenced facilities onto the courts at Denes Oval in Lowestoft, causing damage to the surface.
And had it not been for "swift remedial action" from Lowestoft Town Council's amenities team the situation could have been a lot worse - as "significant damage to the new tennis courts" has been averted.
However, club sessions and the coaching of juniors "has been impacted."
Peter Aldous, chair of Lowestoft Town Tennis and Pickleball club, said they had "very much" been left angered and frustrated by the deplorable actions.
"All committee members, and club members are very upset," Mr Aldous said.
"For over 10 years we have campaigned and fund raised to raise capital towards this project."
With "a considerable sum" having been invested into the courts, primarily by Lowestoft Town Council in partnership with the club, Mr Aldous said: "Our funds were raised from hosting social events including car boot and raffles as well as dinner dances.
"This money was added to the council's investment for a three-phased project to upgrade facilities on the North Denes site.
"Altogether the tennis club has campaigned for over 10 years for floodlights and court improvements, for the past three years we have partnered with Lowestoft Town Council in developing a project that has seen involvement with the LTA.
"After a 'floodlight team' of committee members attended many full town council meetings, and with much support from town councillors Andy Pearce and Wendy Brooks, we were delighted to finally get the go-ahead after three years.
"Phase one is now complete - this comprises repainting and relining of four floodlit tennis courts.
"It has also seen the resurfacing of four old courts that have been out of use for several years - they now comprise eight Pickleball courts, and two tennis/junior courts."
Mr Aldous added: "The opening of the courts had only taken place late last year, however this is the first season that the floodlights have been in operation providing extended playing hours for our members, and ever growing junior section."
With the Pickleball courts "laid and lined", they just require painting, and these new facilities "will be ready for spring 2024."
Of the damage, Mr Aldous said: "Swift remedial action by Lowestoft Town Council's amenities team have averted what could have been significant damage to the new tennis courts.
"The current state is that one court is out of action, and two others have been sanded to soak up the residue oil.
"They remain slippery where damaged, but are playable with care.
"The top courts - which include Pickleball - are unaffected."
A Lowestoft town council spokesman said: "We are disappointed that the tennis courts at Denes Oval have been vandalised in such a way and have handed the matter over to the police to investigate."
With the vandalism taking place sometime between 5pm on Sunday, November 19 and 1pm on Monday, November 20, anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 101 quoting crime reference number 37/67342/23.
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