CASE STUDY – IRVINE TENNIS COMMUNITY.

Disciplines : Groundworks, Fencing, Drainage, Court surfaces, Floodlights and Access System

The Brief

The existing blaes surface tennis courts, constructed circa 1920’s on Thornhouse Avenue, Irvine, home of Irvine Tennis Club had fallen into a state of disrepair and were virtually unusable. The Irvine Tennis Community is a registered charity run by a voluntary committee. They took over the tennis courts with a vision of having thriving tennis courts and being a big part of the community again – promoting tennis, fitness and social interaction in the local area. DOE were invited to tender for the contract to totally reconstruct and refurbish the courts.

Build up and delivery

DOE Sport North worked with specialist consultants, the club’s committee and funders including sportscotland, Tennis Scotland and Irvine Locality Partnership to deliver three LED floodlit synthetic sand dressed tennis court playing and four painted porous macadam pickleball courts. The courts have new fencing and gates. DOE also worked with Clubspark and CIA Fire & Security to install a high-tech smartaccess system allowing paid bookings to be made online for the tennis courts and two of the pickle courts giving access to the courts using a one-time pin code. This reduces staffing costs and gives a convenient way for people to play whenever they want. The remaining two pickleball courts are open to the public.

Tennis Specialist Court Construction for Irvine Tennis Club

LTA and SAPCA standards

The Results

The new DOE courts at Thornwood Avenue have been very well received by the club and community alike and have transformed the area where the courts are located. With the new surfaces and flexible access options this has allowed far more players to use the courts which have been very well received by the local community. Since opening last month, the tennis club’s weekly sessions have attracted a host of players and the club has also hosted a series of training sessions for sports coaches working with players with additional support needs.

Judy Murray OBE opened the courts in September 2023 and commented “The last time I was here there was red blaes and lines going everywhere and just look it this incredible facility now. Well done everyone and thank you to community groups like Irvine Tennis Community who are championing community sport. What you have achieved over the last few years is incredible and to have the option to play pickleball too will offer so many opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.”