Real Tennis
Case Study - Radley
Court Name and Location
RADLEY COLLEGE TENNIS COURT
Radley College Tennis Court, Sports Centre Radley College, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 2HU
Court built on side of existing Sports Hall
![Radley Tennis Court](https://www.tennisandrackets.com/assets/images/court-development/case-studies/Radley1.jpg)
Key Dates
- Start of process: Campaign – 1990; Fund-raising -2004
- Opening of court: 2008
Key People
- Project Champion: Mick Dean
- Key Participants:
- Mick Dean, Champion and Don
- Ian Balding, Governor
- Richard Beauchamp, Bursar
- Additionally, the College was supportive throughout
Design and Construction
- Architect: West Waddy, Abingdon
- Quantity Surveyor: David Anderson (now Estates Bursar at College)
- Main Contractor: Main Contractor: Beard Construction
- Floor: Load-bearing concrete slab, granwood finish
- Walls: Steel frame and blockwork; brick outer wall with profile sheeting at higher level and over roof structure
- Penthouses/Galleries: Plywood on timber framing; turned beech gallery posts
- Roof: Steel frame, pitched, with no cross beams
- Lighting: Trilux fluorescent; 680 lux at floor level
- Access: Double doors at net
Cost Summary
- Court Construction and Fitting Out: £485k
- Professional Fees: £68k
- Sub-total: £553k – current cost estimate £754k
- VAT: £111k
- Total: £666k
Funding
- Local Donors: 15 @ £10k, 20 @ £5k, 50 @ £1k (+ gift aid)
- T&RA: Grant @ £20k, interest-free loan @ £30k
- Commercial Loan: £250k (fully repaid, with interest)
Problems Encountered
Ongoing problems with walls’ plaster
What would you do differently?
- Walls at either end should to be stronger, of better quality
- Side wall, penthouses and bandeau should be built more sturdily
Current Status
- Club Membership: 150 Full (including about 10 College staff), 50 Country, 30 Junior plus c 50 College Boys (per annum)
- Active Players: Approximately 75% of above
- Court Occupancy: 14hrs per day in winter, 10 in summer
- Court Usage by Radley Students: 12% overall
Mick Dean/David Anderson/Chris Ronaldson/RAD, September 2019