Photos | Tennis community gives council a serve over run-down Scarborough Park courts

The courts are covered with algae slime and dirt, strewn with rubbish and shopping trolleys and a baseline section torn up.

Vandals also cut the wire perimeter fence and substantially damaged players' amenities, including smashing mirrors and lights and smearing the floor and sink with paint.

Kevin Colman, who successfully managed the courts as a volunteer for more than two years before a 10-year lease was awarded in 2013, said the situation was "a disgrace".

Mr Colman said the state of the courts deteriorated rapidly after the lessee left in early 2020.

"Bayside Council has called for expressions of interest for a new operator, but no one will want them if they have to pay the cost of fixing up the courts," he said.

"There are hundreds of people - from kids to seniors - who want to use the courts.

"I am continually approached by the players, who want to know what is happening and we have coaches who are keen to get use of these courts for their juniors.

"A valuable community asset is being wasted because the council won't put in any of its own money.

"I know one local operator who inquired, but the council would not give any funding commitment."

Mr Colman said the courts were built in 1972, and then maintained, by Illawarra Tennis Association junior branch.

"When they moved out in 2011, I managed them on a voluntary basis for 26 months while the council looked for a new operator, which was supposed to take six months," he said.

"They were very well managed during my time and in September 2013 I was able to hand over $49,248 to the council from the fees we collected.

"We expected some of that money to be spent to fix roots and the surface, but that never happened."

A Bayside Council spokesman said expressions of interest closed today (Wednesday) in "a process of gauging industry interest in the rehabilitation, ongoing management and operation of both Scarborough and Mutch Park Tennis Courts".

"Council has responded to reported vandalism by installing appropriate locks and has also met with concerned residents onsite and had a number of phone calls to discuss the EOI process and next steps."

The council advertisement said the successful tenderer would need to "provide ongoing operational and capital investment into the facility to ensure its longevity".

Other requirements included: