A fire has destroyed the pavilion at Peterhead Tennis Court.
The hut on York Street went up in flames shortly after 11pm on Sunday.
Two fire crews were called to the site and worked for around an hour to bring the blaze under control.
There are no reports of casualties.
Peterhead Tennis Club committee member Marie Robertson said it was disappointing for the volunteers who give up their time to look after the courts, but said there had been a recurring issue with vandals.
“There has been an issue with vandalism that we have been reporting to police, so it wasn’t a shock,” she said.
“Thankfully there was nothing in the pavilion with any value. But as volunteers who are trying to do our best, this is very disappointing.”
“In the last few years we have managed to secure some money to support the tennis club and the courts themselves are in great shape.
“It is used by schools, groups and individuals – while it has been difficult during Covid, the courts are a valuable resource for the community.”
‘We will be asking the council for help’
The committee was already working on plans for a new club house and remains committed to the project – if they can get help.
Ms Robertson said: “We only lease the ground for the tennis club. The council owns the land.
“So I will be approaching the local authority for help, as I am sure they will want to make sure the tennis courts continue to offer a great place for schools and the whole community.”
“The club has limited funds, and we will not be able to rebuild without support.”
A fire service spokeswoman said: “We were called to a fire in a wooden sport hall at tennis grounds in Peterhead on Sunday night.
“We were called at 11.08pm.
“We tasked two fire appliances from Peterhead to attend.
“The stop sign came through at 12.01am, and the last appliance left the scene at 1.28am.”
A police spokesman said: “We received report of a hut on fire on York Street in Peterhead around 11.15pm on Sunday, March 20.
“The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.”
Anyone who would like to offer support for the rebuilding of the pavilion should contact 07702 798 266.
