Court One to be converted to Clay

On Tuesday January 30th, Trevor May, the tennis court specialists, will be converting the existing acrylic court one to an ARC Clay Court.

As you are probably aware Court One is unplayable for quite a few weeks during the year – especially during the winter months. In fact even during the summer the court is not playable if it has rained. We have looked at different options including covering the court on a permanent basis but as ever finances were a major issue. We looked at other types of clay surfaces as well – slightly cheaper versions. In fact a working party lead by Head Coach Julie travelled to the posh St George’s Hill Club in Weybridge to check out their clay surfaces. It was decided that they were nowhere near the quality of our own existing clay courts.

By converting Court one to Clay or ARC, we are replicating the exact same surface that is on Courts six, seven and eight. We are also using the same contractor – Trevor May – to maintain quality and consistency.  The court is also set up to have lights at a later stage.  The new clay court is scheduled to be completed by the end of February. Obviously Court One will be out of commission until then.

Below the Trevor May specification:

Conversion of Single Acrylic Court to Advantage RedCourt Artificial Clay at Pavilion and Avenue LTC
Court dimensions: 36.58m x 18.29m (Championship Size)
Access and site set up
Our specification is based on using the track between two houses that leads to the club’s double gates close
to the court for delivery of the hot asphalt. This material will be unloaded close to the double gates
and double handled (approx. 20m) to the court. Any other means of access for delivery of the hot
asphalt is likely to incur additional costs. Club to obtain any necessary permissions for utilising this
access.
Define working and storage areas and erect orange plastic fencing as necessary to separate from the
remainder of the club.
Preparatory works
Sweep off existing surface to remove any dirt / debris. Pierce existing surface at approximately 450mm
centres forming nominally 30mm diameter holes to improve drainage. Fill holes with peashingle. Roll
entire area with a heavy roller. Apply bitumen emulsion tack-coat to the entire surface, ensuring a
good coverage.
Existing channel drain to one long side of court
Lift and remove grating from site. Infill channel to bring up to level of existing playing surface in
preparation of new layer of porous asphalt to entire court area.
Perimeter edgings
Break out existing perimeter edgings and remove from site. Supply and lay new PCC path edgings
(915mm x 100mm x 50mm), set vertically to provide a minimum 50mm upstand to contain loose infill
material.
Tennis post sockets and new centre anchor
Break out tennis post sockets and re-set to suit new playing surface level. Sockets are set in minimum
750mm cubes of concrete. Supply and fit new zinc plated centre ground anchor (plunger type), set in
minimum 300mm cube of concrete.
New porous asphalt wearing course
Supply and lay 6mm ACE porous asphalt to a nominal consolidated depth of 25mm. The material is
laid between metal screed bars and levelled with steel straight edge in order to achieve a level and
even-textured surface. Thoroughly roll and cross roll with a heavy mechanical roller.

Advantage RedCourt® artificial clay playing surface
Supply and lay Advantage RedCourt® artificial clay playing surface. This surface provides a highly
practical alternative to traditional clay courts, but with a similar appearance and play characteristics,
available for near year round play, without the need for sprinklers or the major cost of reconstruction
each Spring. It is manufactured by EDEL Grass B.V. and uses a ceramic treated infill that totally fills the
stability mat. The stability mat has a polyethylene yarn for low sliding resistance, whilst the play lines
are made using a special white yarn that gives higher durability and improved visibility. Advantage
RedCourt® offers a slow surface pace (ITF Category 1) with uniform low bounce. It allows some top
spin and slice and has a positive “push off” with controlled slide and some resilience.