Real Tennis

Case Study - Prested

Court Name and Location

PRESTED REAL TENNIS CLUB

Prested Real Tennis Club, Feering Chase, Nr Kelvedon, Essex, CO5 9EE

Pair of courts, with Padel and Lawn Tennis, part of Prested Hall Health Club including gym and pool.

Prested Hall No 1 court
Prested Hall No 1 court

Key Dates

  • Start of process: Early 1998
  • Opening of courts: (1) January 1999 (2) June 1999

Key People

  • Project Champion: Mike Carter
  • Organising Committee: Mike Carter

Design and Construction

  • Architect/Surveyor: Mike Duffill
  • Project Manager: Mike Carter
  • Two courts side by side but reversed with six feet in between for corridor and offices and viewing gallery above; glass back wall on main court.

  • Floor: Power-floated concrete with under-floor heating
  • Walls: Reinforced concrete piers; 6’ concrete blocks with arducrete coating on lower third
  • Penthouses: Timber
  • Roof: One pitched roof with steel girders; twin sheet insulated tin roof

Cost Summary

Approximately £450k for two. Current cost estimate £850k.

Funding

Mike Carter

Problems Encountered

No pre-arranged funding so construction was hand-to-mouth as proprietor’s cash flow allowed

What would you do differently?

  • Wider gap (10’) between courts to allow for proper galleries in second court and improved upper viewing galleries
  • Pre caste concrete for walls or as at The Oratory
  • Viewing gallery in the back wall above the glass wall

Current Status

  • Club Membership: Prested Hall Health & Tennis Club has over 1000 members
  • Active Players: about 100
  • Two Professionals: Mark Hobbs & Zac Smart

Mike Carter/RAD, October 2019