SAPCA principal contractor Tennis 2000 was presented with a challenging project, after securing a contract to design and install a tennis court at a private property liable to flooding in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
The main risk associated with the court was that the surface of the court could be covered with silt and debris in the event of flooding. Another consideration was the threat of fencing being flattened – or even destroyed – by foreign objects by flowing water during a heavy flood.
To overcome these issues, Tennis 2000 came up with an innovative solution involving a raised, non-porous court with a bespoke fence design that can also be raised – allowing flood waters to pass unhindered.
For the project, the company designed a bespoke tennis court, raised 700mm above existing levels by way of a reinforced blockwork retaining wall. The adjacent fencing system comprises of adjustable panels that can easily be raised – in less than 15 minutes – during times of flooding.
The system will be able to deal with water levels up to 800mm higher than the highest flood waters currently recorded.
To make the design pleasing to the eye, the blockwork retaining wall was disguised by landscaping around the court.
The system has proven to be a success and the project was delivered on time and on budget. Both the client and Tennis 2000 were exceptionally pleased with the end product.
According to John Pearce, Tennis 2000 managing director, the innovative solution used to tackle flooding has led the company to evolve the product further.
“Although this particular design was bespoke to this project, we intend on developing the design and adapting it to suit future floodplain sites,” said Pearce.
Founded in 1989, Tennis 2000 specialises in the design, installation and maintaining of tennis courts – but also provides a range of other sports surfaces, such as netball, MUGAs, basketball courts, hockey, football and rugby pitches.
