Tennis Ireland's less than sufficient competition facilities are seriously threatened by even further limitations following new ownership of the Riverview complex in Clonskeagh on Dublin's southside.

The majority of the main Irish championships and all of the international fixtures have been staged at the Dublin Four venue in recent years but redevelopment plans by the new owners, Whitbread Leisure PLC, which include an outdoor swimming pool and new gymnasium, would reduce the number of tennis courts at the venue.

A reduction in outdoor courts as planned would rule out summer competitions such as the ITF's Futures and Women's Irish Open championships.

Tennis Ireland's chief executive officer Des Allen yesterday confirmed his association's grave concern for the future of Riverview as its principal centre. On the brighter side, a considerable increase in government funding for Ireland's top players, three women and one man, is, by all accounts likely in the National Sports Council's package to be announced today.