It was supposed to stand as a monument to Sir Andy Murray‘s glittering career in tennis.
But plans for a multimillion-pound sports facility have been ditched amid concerns it has become ‘unviable’ after planning delays and rising costs.
Just weeks after Sir Andy announced his retirement, the £20million flagship facility set to be built where he and fellow tennis ace brother Jamie grew up has been abandoned.
The Murray Play Foundation, the charitable organisation set up to design, build and operate the sports facility at Park of Keir near Dunblane, blamed ‘several factors’ for the decision including wrangles with the planning system and protracted discussions with governing bodies.
The announcement comes just weeks after Sir Andy’s emotional goodbye to the professional game at the Paris Olympics – after which First Minister John Swinney hailed him as Scotland’s ‘greatest ever sportsman’.
A spokesman for the Murray Play Foundation 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 Murray, pictured with son Sir Andy, has decided not to take plans for a sports centre in Dunblane forward
Sir Andy retired from tennis after the recent Olympic Games in Paris, following a glittering career
Park of Keir would host tennis, padel and pickleball, and provide a lasting Murray legacy
A mural of Murray was this week unveiled at Dunblane Sports Club, where he learned to play
The bitter blow for Scottish tennis comes after a years long battle to build the facility, with Ms Murray at the forefront of pushing to build the centre.
But the Murray Play Foundation said a combination of factors, including significant increases in construction, material and energy costs, a lengthy and uncertain planning process, and protracted discussions with governing bodies, had precipitated the decision.
A spokesman for the charity said: ‘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 well beyond her lifetime and given the next generation greater opportunity to access courts, competition and coaching.
‘Over 12 years, Judy had 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.
An artist’s impression of the proposals for the sports centre at Dunblane
Judy Murray has long campaigned for more tennis facilities to be built in Scotland
Andy Murray celebrates his second Wimbledon triumph in 2016 after beating Milos Raonic
‘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.’
Stirling Council initially rejected the Park of Keir proposal, but was overruled by the Scottish Government in December 2021 when ministers said the benefits of the initiative would outweigh the loss of green belt land.
But the project – which also included a golf course and a hotel – still had to get the go-ahead from the council.
If it was built, the organisation behind it said, it would have provided affordable access to leisure to thousands and would help grow the sport of tennis, pickleball and padel.
The foundation also planned to develop a network of community coaches to serve all three sports across Scotland.
Last month Sir Andy revealed he hoped the centre would get the go ahead, and said: ‘My mum has been trying for a long time to try and have a centre that’s there for the community, to have some form of legacy for what me and my brother have achieved throughout our career.
Murray’s glittering career came to an end after his and Dan Evans’ exit from the Paris Olympics doubles at the quarter-final stage earlier this month
Club member Indriana Arifin walks past the 20ft artwork outside Dunblane Sports Club of Sir Andy Murray
‘That hasn’t been the case in Scotland yet.’
And fellow tennis legend Billie Jean King, who has Scottish roots, earlier this year joined calls to build the legacy project.
Forbes Dunlop, chief executive of SportScotland, said: ‘We have been in discussion with Judy and her team as she developed her plans for the proposed centre at Park of Keir and had made a provisional commitment of £5m towards the project.
‘We are aware, however, that Judy has made the difficult decision not to take the project forward.
‘We will sit down with Judt and the Murray family to look at other options for delivering a legacy for Andy’s phenomenal career.’
The Lawn Tennis Association also promised £5m towards the community tennis and sports centre.
First Minister John Swinney said: ‘We recognise the enormous contribution the Murray family has made to tennis in Scotland and respect the decision made by the Murray Play Foundation in relation to the Park of Keir development.
‘We are committed to working with the Murray family and wider partners in the sector to explore alternative options that will deliver a tangible and fitting legacy to their enormous contribution to sport in Scotland and across the world.’