TENNIS COURT REPLACEMENT PROJECT FEB 2017
What is the problem? Back courts are 20 years old (laid in 1997) Thinning Slippery Root evidence Seam movement Front courts were laid badly 6 years ago No sub-surface remedial/levelling works No penetrating of base to improve drainage Thin carpet (9mm replaced 16mm) Wearing rapidly and shows everything!
What we need to do In order to continue having 6 playable, equal courts, we require to replace all six carpets Replacement of 3 difficult due to access and LTA funding Sub-base remedial works are essential to provide a flat, good draining surface for next 10+ years Approximate cost 100k 25% Raised by member donations 25% Cash provided by Sports Club 50% Interest free loan to be repaid over 10 years by Sports Club
The Process Approach to LTA for interest free loan Sports Club start Court Replacement Fund with tractor loan repayment funds April 2015 Initial discussions with contractors Tennis Section start fundraising 9/9/15 Formal LTA funding application Meetings with LTA to progress application LTA Site Survey Contractor Appointed LTA Loan Approval Works Commence (3-4 week duration) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2015 2016 2017
25,000 20 th Feb - 19,421 7th Oct - 14,721 Gift Aid 2,300 20% of this 11,859 from Member donations 24th Jun - 10,363 7,562 from Tennis Club Funds
Vendor Assessment Company Fairways (1) Fairways (2) Malcolms (1) Malcolms (2) Ecosse Sports (1) Ecosse Sports (2) Removal and Disposal 8,058 8,058 6,615 6,615 5,910 5,910 Preparatory and Remedial 1,000 1,000 24,679 24,679 27,856 27,856 Surface type Centre Court Advantage Red Lano Club Court Lano Grand Clay 12 Tiger Turf Advantage Red Surface Supply & Install 55,012 75,620 57,790 85,326 62,946 72,510 Total (excl VAT) 64,070 84,678 89,084 116,620 96,712 106,276 Unknown pedigree (no known reference customers) Didn t agree with LTA remedial requirements Existing relationship with Edel Good reference sites (including Drumchapel) Inflexible in Carpet options unknown references for Lano Noncommittal, unavailable in Spring Many reference sites (WhiteCraigs, Newlands, Thorn, etc.) Extensive maintenance relationship Flexible to accommodate
Surface Selection - TigerTurf Advantage PRO Sand dressed, 13mm pile The preferred artificial grass surface until 2016 Installed at Newlands, Drumchapel, Strathgryffe, Hamilton and well rated Plays marginally slower than existing carpet Can be bi-coloured Pro s Tried and trusted No change from present player experience Relatively risk free Con s Wet balls as present Last years fashion!
Surface Selection Edel Advantage Red Court Sand filled, 12mm pile Artificially manufactured sand Only at Whitecraigs to date (but Western installing and Thorn, Rutherglen, Thistle, Rubislaw among others all investigating) Can be red, green or blue Pro s Better drainage and less dampness Slower bounce and better rallies Less imperfections truer bounces The new fashionable surface Con s We d be an early adopter in UK Requires some player brushing
What s all the fuss about these surfaces are considered to have desirable playing characteristics not too dissimilar to European clay Consistent bounce in wet or damp Balls bounce up and don t skid through Get to more balls, return more serves! Sand dressing and brushing ensures nice flat surface Fewer irregular bounces Top clubs now keen to get installed It s not clay though it s just a carpet with another sand in it! Player brushing takes about a minute per end. Not compulsory but makes for a lovely, flat, smooth surface! Shoes after 3 hours play
The Science Tiger Turf (& current) Advantage Red Kiln dried sand Irregular, random shape Retains water and binds when wet Sand dressed to support fibres Moisture retained in carpet fibres Play on carpet fibres Manufactured ceramic sand Regular shape Drains well and doesn t retain water Sand filled just proud of surface Moisture drains through sand Play on smooth sand
A New Consideration Craiglockhart traditionally host ITF and LTA competitions on their 6 outdoor clay courts Major refurbishment has reduced outdoor courts to 3, meaning tournaments need a new home LTA seeking ITF approved outdoor venues with suitable offcourt facilities Advantage Red Court only ITF approved outdoor carpet Tennis Scotland have approached us to request potential use of Hillhead for some tournaments Would require us to have Advantage Red Are willing to pay hire fee equivalent to carpet cost difference ( 10k) Would bring additional off-court revenue
The Choice is Yours