Message Board - Tennis: Hurlingham outdoor pool rebuild

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig Last edited 6 Aug 2010

Pre demolition photo of outdoor pool complex.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Pre demolition photo of outdoor pool complex.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

The South End of the lake is being dammed and reclaimed to allow for the new pool to be moved 10 metres North.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Courts o,p,q are have been Koro'd and are now under two layers of terram and 450 tonnes of type 1 until May next year.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Courts R and S on the left will remain in play until the end of September this year. In May next year they will be Koro'd, power harrowed and laser levelled, then seeded at the same time as the courts currently under the stone raft.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Business as usual on the untouched courts.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by Grassman2011

Appears to be very little wear on the untouched courts Peter. Does that mean that they are literally untouched or do they occasionally use them ? All this dry weather and looking that good. Makes you feel sick.

6 Aug 2010 by Mal

Hi Peter, Looks like a fascinating project. Love the look of the original bath house though but sure if your replacing it, it probably looks better than it is and your clubs plans for the new pool and facilities will look the buisness. I suppose you could say at least you are truely pooling your resources. Let us know when it's ready and details of the pool opening BBQ. Heres hoping things run super smooth for you.

Geography is everywhere

6 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Clever photography has hidden the base ends which are as bald as a badgers

However the courts have probably had more play than for quiite a few summers due to the good weather.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

6 Aug 2010 by Mal

Peter how do you water your courts (By hand or with automatic pop-ups)? and how often are you watering?

Geography is everywhere

7 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Mal, we have a Toro Geminin pop up system which we use for general irrigation but we do hand water isolated dry areas usually with a wetting agent tablet.
I am replacing all the Toro sprinklers on these courts with Rainbird in May.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

7 Aug 2010 by Vic Demain

Peter, we have experienced problems with our sprinklers on the bowling green and are currently looking at upgrading. Could I ask why you are changing?
Vic.

7 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Vic.
The main reason we are changing is that Lely who are the Toro agents appear not to be able to organise the proverbial p*** up in a brewery.
Lakes and Greens our irrigation contractors have had terrible problems acquiring the most basic parts and have had no such problems with Rainbird.
It also seems that the Rainbird sprinkler is more reliable than it's Toro countrpart.
We shall see.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

7 Aug 2010 by Mal

Thats interesting Peter as we are in the same boat as Vic with our green realy, running some very old Toro heads but were looking down the route of Hunter, mainly due to availability and cost more than anything. Is it just the heads you are replacing? (assume that the gemini software and decoders etc. are cross compatible with your intended new system) or the complete system?

Geography is everywhere

7 Aug 2010 by Vic Demain

Peter, thanks for the info which ties in with what I have heard.
Mal, our bowls chairman is in discussion with a contractor from East Anglia who is reputed to be very good. He is due to come and visit us soon, perhaps you might like to also see him. Seem to remember him saying that Rainbird are his sprinklers of choice for use on bowling greens.

7 Aug 2010 by has 2 mow Last edited 7 Aug 2010

If i may gents, the Eagle 950 i find does have a dead spot just after the short throw jet, and if i was putting in new heads i would go for the impulse type at least you can alter the arc very easy and stop them in one location if you have a dry area, something you can not do with the geared type .

Mark

7 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Mal we are replacing all the pipework as well partly due to the fact that the courts are all moving 2 metres to the West so the current heds and related joints will be in the wrong place.
Vic I am very happy with Lakes and Greens who have done a great job in the 6 years we have been using them. But thaks for the heads up.
has 2 mow I will take your observations in to consideration when we choose the sprinklers.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

7 Aug 2010 by A J

Hi peter,

Are there be any drainage work/improvemnts to be addressed with ongoing work also?

- Like the idea of you providing a photo diary as work progresses, best of luck.

Grow in grace...........

8 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

There isn't a man made drain on any of the turf surfaces here Bluecoat. The soil here is extremely free draining.
Hope you find it interesting. Very little going on tennis court wise until next year now but I'll post some pics of the work in the pool itself.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

9 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

The dam fully inflated with the area to be reclaimed beyond

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

9 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

The site offices move on to the courts.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

9 Aug 2010 by regaltang

Fascinating project Peter look forward to seeing the completion please keep this thread going its great

9 Aug 2010 by Sumomosr

There's something typically 'English/British' about the old buildings PMC and I wonder that they weren't 'listed' to some degree? Sad to see such 'quaintness' removed from the landscape but fascinating to see what replaces them.

Looking forward to following your progress and fearful of stones meeting your 220's ...

Great thread! Thanks.

GOGGA

9 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Thanks Sumo and rega's.

Indeed it is sad that the old fashioned wooden cubicals go and my girlfriend is livid about it as well as some members. But the fact is that the facilities are over 70 years old and cannot cope with the thousands of users the pool gets.
It was a Health and Safety nightmare and to cap it all the pool sprung a leak last year which costs thousands to repair.
The new facility will be "state of the art" and I will post some artists impressions tomorrow.
They have tried to be as sympathetic to the old "feel" of the pool and surrounds but everything will be brand new.
I'll keep you posted.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Aug 2010 by Neil Dixon

Look at it this way Peter, at least your Tennis Court maintenance is cut down for a while

We too are having work done this summer, nothing as grand as a new pool being built, just a re routing of a road but still the disruption is a pain!!

10 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

In a way Neil it increases our maintenance as we will be 4 courts short all next summer increasing wear on the other courts.
The real plus is that we will be able to spend all summer next year getting the new courts ready, rather than racing against time and the weather in September/Ocotber.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Aug 2010 by Neil Dixon

Very true Peter,

Are the courts used on a " turn up and play basis " by the members between set "opening" times or do they have to book them in advance? is there any way you can reduce the useage?

10 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Neil
We provide 6 courts from 10:15 am and a further two courts from 4pm Monday to Friday.
We provide 12 courts Saturday and Sunday(15 if there is a match).
Members have to book the courts in advance.
I am happy we will be able to cover the shortfall without any significant extra damage to the other courts. We will just have to adjust the rotation a little.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig Last edited 10 Aug 2010

Couple of computer generated "photos" of the finished pool interior.

The view from the South.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig Last edited 10 Aug 2010

......and from the East.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Aug 2010 by Mal

Very nice Peter though I'm sure they could have photo montagued you in there somewhere sipping cocktails, idly dipping the odd toe in or lounging under an umbrella on a recliner.

Geography is everywhere

10 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

There's another view from the courts outside ( which I can't obtain) and the grass looks magnificent!! Amazing what you can do with technology. Trouble is the members have seen it and they now expect the real courts to look as good.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig Last edited 10 Aug 2010

I've managed to get hold of the aforementioned "pic".

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

This area of the lake will be backfilled with the rubble from the pool and become part of the pool complex

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

.....and this is what the inflatable dam is holding back!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Going in at the deep end.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Aug 2010 by A J

Ooooooooh, How tempting is it to give it a poke with a fork Boys will be boys.
Looking good so far.....

Grow in grace...........

18 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

I reckon the point of no return has been reached!!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 Aug 2010 by petermarkcraig

Anyone got any sticky tape?

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Sep 2010 by petermarkcraig

Nothing to see here!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

9 Sep 2010 by petermarkcraig

As the outdoor pool is closed I thought it would be nice to provide two substitutes.

So I KORO'd courts a,b,c,d and the weather did the rest yesterday afternoon

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

9 Sep 2010 by petermarkcraig Last edited 9 Sep 2010

Bugger!!!!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

9 Sep 2010 by Neil Dixon

I wouldnt use that Peter, no diving board!!!
Say Hi to Maureen from us !!!

9 Sep 2010 by petermarkcraig

Will do Neil. It's a small world!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

Managed to get on the courts pictured above about a week after the deluge.

This is them today

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

and....

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

and the outdoor pool looks like this.

All of the hundreds of tonnes of spoil you see will soon be loaded on to a conveyor belt system leading from the site to the Thames and will be transported away by barges.
I'll post some pics when it is built.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

This picture shows the concrete barrier at the end of the lake that is near completion. The inflatable dam will then be deflated and the sluice gate between the lake and the river will be reinstated.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

19 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

the reshaped lake......

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

19 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

The scaffolding structure leading from the site to the Thames that will hold the conveyor belt.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

19 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

site end of scaffolding structure....

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

19 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

and the uderground roots from which top growth will soon be sprouting...

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

21 Oct 2010 by petermarkcraig

barge loading bay at low tide.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

500 tonnes of spoil will be moved by barge.

Pic 1

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

Pic 2

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

Pic 3

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

Pic 4

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

Pic 5

(enough pics)

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

9 Nov 2010 by sipho

cool pics - interesting, keep us updated

Gogga International Affairs Officer

10 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

Thanks sipho. Will do.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

Good picture of entire site from the top of the spoil heap. The first of the four courts that have to be reinstated begins about where the concrete mixer is!
The picture shows then pouring concrete to make the sub basement slab.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Nov 2010 by A J

Hi peter

Can you just elaborate a bit more on the pool Area & the lake? Having trouble identifying which is which at the moment?
Good photo`s & Insight into the prodgect so far? Keep em coming!!

Cheers

Andy.

Grow in grace...........

11 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

Hi Andy.

If you scroll down about half way on this thread you will see a couple of photos of the way the area will ook on completion.
The photo above is taken looking East to West with the lake out of picture to the right.
The basement pit will be to the West of the pool and the grass courts will be reinstated Westwards with the edge of the first court being about in line with the back end of the cement mixer

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Nov 2010 by petermarkcraig

This is not the pool but the basement where all the filtering and pool heating plant will go. The changing rooms will be above.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Nov 2010 by A J

Cheers peter.

That`s where i was a bit confused looking at the whole site.? The filtering basement threw me. Guess it couldn`t Haven`t been the pool just yet. So thought it might have something to do with the lake?

Makes a bit more sense now!

Cheers

Andy.

Grow in grace...........

11 Nov 2010 by Grassman2011

Peter, all very interesting. Are you allowed to divulge the actual cost of this project ? projected and actual, eventually of course.

12 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig

Since my last post on November 11th the weather has had quite a say in the progress (or lack of it) on the work on the site.
However progress has been made with the basement roof/changing room floor being concreted and excavation on the new pool advanced although still behind as it was hoped that the concrete pour would have been done by now.
Lots of ducting has been laid, including the one for our irrigation ring main to pass through, and the pipe work that will pass directly along the net line of the refurbished courts will be installed soon.
The area that concerns me is that which is being used for access and storage. As mentioned, it was covered with two layers of terram and 400 tonnes of type 1, but mud has clearly been pushed to the surface through that and quite what I will find when we get the area back no heaven knows. Still, I like a challenge.
The level of the lake which had been dropping consistently seems to have stabilised, so hopefully the theory that the water was migrating to the holes being dug on the site may be correct.
I am attaching a few photos although as mentioned, not a lot has changed.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig

The steel and concrete structure taking place for the reception and changing rooms

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 12 Jan 2011

All of this area in the foreground has to be reclaimed and reconstructed for grass courts.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig

You can see clearly the mud that has been forced up from the ground beneath the terram and hardcore "protective" base.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

12 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 12 Jan 2011

This may look like ballast but is actually what most of the club sits on below around 1.5 metres deep. Drainage is not a problem here!

BY THE WAY. IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW THE SEQUENCE OF PHOTOS, BUT NOT WANT TO OPEN EACH POST, YOU CAN JUST LEFT CLICK ON THE CURRENT PHOTO TO GO TO THE NEXT PHOTO IN THE SEQUENCE.
SIMPLES!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

21 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig

The concrete pour for the main pool underway.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

21 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig

The roof sections were delivered yesterday and not without some problems. We had to remove several branches en route to allow the 6 metre high artic to get to the site.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

21 Jan 2011 by petermarkcraig

A roof section in situ.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 1 Feb 2011

Preliminary work on the off building site area.

As the whole block of courts will be moving 3 metres east of their original position the irrigation system which was designed to cover each court separately will have to be moved. We have decided to replace it entirely with new sprinklers, decoders/electrics and pipe work.
Also we will have to completely remove a very large Laurel bush/tree from the NW corner.
The chemical treatment store for the pool is being housed in the outdoor pool car park which is nearly 100 metres from the pool. Therefore the chemicals will have to be pumped through pipes running under the net line of the courts just below the pipe work for the irrigation.
The area of removed turf in the photo is the width that the trench will be and they will be going down about 2 metres. There will be 8 pipes of different sizes.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

We are removing 3 metres of the Yew Hedge in the picture and will replant it after the work is complete.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

The Laurel will have to go to make room for the run off area of the courts when they are repositioned.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

The trench run looking east from the Yew hedge.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

Trenching has started.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

The remains of the old irrigation pipework.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

.....and we can't rest on this Laurel any more.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Feb 2011 by Mal Last edited 2 Feb 2011

Resting on your laurals is one thing Peter just as long as you don't become entrenched in the broader aspects of the project.

Geography is everywhere

2 Feb 2011 by A J Last edited 2 Feb 2011

Looks like yew will soon be getting down to the root of the problem though! Shame about the yew hedge! but will soon begin to take shape again....

Grow in grace...........

3 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

Are you two avin' a dig?

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

3 Feb 2011 by chrismitchell

Look on the bright side. It's quicker by tube!

Chris

You will never see a statue in honour of a committee.

17 Feb 2011 by petermarkcraig

The pipework that leads from the pool plant room to the chemical processing building and electrical substations, running directly below the netilne of the grass courts above.

Bearing in mind the tragedy that has just occured at Newbury I hope they get the insulation right!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

17 Feb 2011 by Vic Demain

Hope you don't get any on the courts wearing racing plates Peter.

8 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

A few more snaps.

The trench continuing through the court area to the pool complex

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

More trenching .

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 8 Mar 2011

Fully laden concrete lorry stuck just about on the service line of court 1!!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

To try and catch up on the programme they have fully enclosed the main pool to allow tiling to go ahead unhindered by bad weather.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

The ugly perimeter fencing on the East boundary has gone to reveal a considerably more attractive (and none too cheap) oak weaved boundary fence.
As you can see by the following pics we have started clearing, and contouring the beds by the fence. The rotavator comes in tomorrow and we hope to start planting up early next week.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

The edge of the lake and the end of the oak fencing.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

This area of approximately 1200 square metres will be graded and turfed hopefully by the end of the month.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Mar 2011 by Barry Pace

Hi Peter, looks nice and tidy and not too much slurry last few weeks I hope.
Amazing how the new concrete wall is 'greening up' all ready...
Keep em comin, tis fascinating to watch progress

Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!

15 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

We have just planted up the bed next to the main gate which was decimated by diggers and the like when installing new electricity and gas cables.

The mulch is home produced from all the leaves and grass cuttings that we collect over the year. None of our leaves or grass cuttings ever leave site now.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

15 Mar 2011 by petermarkcraig

Same bed different angle.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 Apr 2011 by petermarkcraig

Whilst there has been a frenzy of activity in the construction side of the project recently, very little has changed llanscape/court construction side hence the lack of updates.

However our time is near and as I suspected will coincide with the busiest period of the entire summer for the dept. Such is life.

This picture shows the area parallel with the road leading to the outdoor pool. Beneath the surface has been laid new gas, electricity and water mains and the whole area is a mass of compacted rubble in to which hundreds of shrubs have to be planted!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 Apr 2011 by petermarkcraig

....and the main pool nearing completion.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 Apr 2011 by petermarkcraig

....with the kid's pool full of water which I can assure you will be a lot cleaner come opening day!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 May 2011 by petermarkcraig

Just bumping this thread to keep it active.

We are approaching the point where the contractors will be freeing up the site. The area under 400 tonnes of type one "might" be a tad compacted. The opther area will be Glyphosated this week in preparation for Koroing and power harrowing.

The site contractors and the irrigation contractors are meetng this week to organise access for the reconnection of the ring main that runs through the site, and to discuss installation of the sprinkler system for the turfed sunbathing areas and flower beds.

Things are hotting up.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 May 2011 by petermarkcraig

Still no proper access to the site but momentum is building and when we do get in there’s a lot to be done, even before we get started on the courts.
The ground I am inheriting is absolutely rock hard and contaminated with all kinds of builders rubble. My original hope was to run a heavy duty stone burier through the area and grade prior to turfing. This looks unlikely now. Still not quite sure what I'm going to do.
Lots of landscaping going on so some pics of that. Don't know about the quiet before the storm, more like the storm before the tempest!
I can see a big clash between the busiest time of the year sports and functions wise, and a mad panic to get the pool ready. Still it keep me off the streets

First pic is the "sunbathing area" to be. We are installing pop up irrigation in here and turfing.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 May 2011 by petermarkcraig

The Lonicera hedge has now been planted around the South end of the lake.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 May 2011 by petermarkcraig

This is the area East of the road leading to the pool. High voltage electric cables, water mains and sewage pipes have all been laid under this area and the gardens team have done wonders to cecontaminate, excavate mulch and plant up. I think it looks great and will look spectacular in a couple of years.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 May 2011 by petermarkcraig

The courts looking East. For a view of what the view should look like next year scroll up to the pic dated 10 August.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

18 May 2011 by petermarkcraig

The West side of the pool main building. This will eventuallt be covered in a climber (Tracholospermum)

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Currently have Laurence Gale MSc prowling the Hurlingham Grounds shooting (with a camera) everything in site.

We have for the first time got proper access to part of the site so the contractors have moved in to convert what is a rock hard, boulder infested bomb site in to a verdant green lawn................in 7 days.

It has taken a massive tractor and a shakervator to break up the top 300mm, followed by a extensive hand boulder pick and several passes with a Blec stone burier. We are also having to import 120 tonnes of soil to aid truf rooting and provide material for grading.

The shakervator

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

The soon to be verdant green sunbathing area!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

The Blec stone burier. ......finding some soil amongst the stone is proving quite challenging.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Jusat some of the rubble extracted.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Jun 2011 by STAFF - John Richards Last edited 2 Jun 2011

Hi Peter - I wondered where Laurence had got to! Please feel free to use him in whatever capacity you consider appropriate. Send him back anytime before the end of the month.
Regards
John

2 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

As his sell by date is printed on the "bottom" of the container I won't be checking it. He smells ok so I should be safe to put him up for the night and might even give him a bed rather than a shelf!!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Typical Just as we actually start work on the landscaping I can't find the camera battery charger
Anyway I've borrowed a camera and should have some nice pics of the levelling and turfung of the area above soon.
No matter how long I am in this job, the kick I get out of seeing a bare piece of ground transformed overnight in to a green carpet will never leave me.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Ok camera back in action so some slides of the prep and turfing of the sunbathing area East of the pools.
I desperately wanted to carry out this work in-house but the appalling state of the ground we had to work with coupled with a conflicting amount of work required in other areas meant we had to outsource.
Whitehorse contractors, got the job and at very short notice mustered together the machinery and men needed to get the job done. Lakes and Greens irrigation worked along side Whitehorse who installed a pop up system
As you can see the transformation was swift and dramatic and the 24 hours rain we had on Sunday/Monday was perfect post turfing weather. Rooting has already begun.

A reminder of what we started with

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

A shakervator and blec stone burier were used to decompact the ground and produce some kind of workable tilth. Half-a-day was spent hand picking stones, boulder, sheets of ply, steel pins and other objet d'art from the site.

Another "before" photo.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 14 Jun 2011

140 tonnes of soil was brought in to produce a turf bed. This had to be unloaded in a car park and dumpered on site.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Slowly but surely with a combination of man and machine the contouring of the area starting to take shape.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

The soil was spread by dumper and raked by hand.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Final preps done now for turfing.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

The turf was a fescue mix provided by Inturf and again had to be offlaoded in the tennis pavilion car park and tractored roll by roll to the site.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Sod it I'm bored with this journey.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 14 Jun 2011

The first roll is laid.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Half way there.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

18 sprinklers were installed to irrigate what was quite an awkwardly shaped area.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

The finished job. Looking great.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 14 Jun 2011

Looking North.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Sprinklers in action. John from Lakes and Greens is adjusting the arcs to ensure the best coverage is achieved.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 14 Jun 2011

The "team". Steve Godwin and his Whitehorses in the fetching yellow attire and Mike Collins from Lakes and Greens in the, frankly hideous t shirt

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Jun 2011 Last edited 14 Jun 2011

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14 Jun 2011 Last edited 14 Jun 2011

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16 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Sorry but had a few technical issues.

An alternative vista of the newly turfed area by the pool.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

16 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

Just been told that problems with the roofing and pool pipework are going to delay the opening until the end of July. Not a problem yet, but if any further delays push us back to September, combining the work on these courts with Autumn renovation of the other 23 courts plus the cricket square and a hectare of croquet and bowls lawns might prove a challenge.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 23 Jun 2011

The club has just started the demolition of the old, and eventual rebuild of a new outdoor pool facility.

As the pool is situated adjacent to our biggest block of grass courts, 4 of the courts have had to be taken out of play to be used as a site office and material storage site.

In preparation for this we have Koro'd off all the vegetation and a double layer of terram has been laid on top of which is around 100 mil of type one aggregate. (450 tonnes)

The project is due to complete in May next year when the stone will be removed, the other three courts Koro'd, and then the whole area power harrowed, laser levelled and reseeded.

Depending on establishment I am hoping to possibly bring the courts in to play briefly at the end of August, but failing that they will be fully utilised beginning in May 2012.

Above is what I wrote in the first page of this thread at the beginning of August last year.

Any hopes of bringing the courts back in to play in August this year flew out the window months ago but the completion date has now been put back to the 25th July. This date is now the earliest at which we may be able to start work on the courts.
However things get worse. The whole idea of covering the area with terram and type 1 was to protect it from damage and contamination. It was agreed that the very last job would be to remove the stone carefully and peel the terram back to reveal a "clean" and relatively level surface for us to work with.

But see the phto above and to follow..........................

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

and...............

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

not to mention.........................

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Jun 2011 by petermarkcraig

All of those photos are of area that will be courts o and p.

They decdied to nick the type one for another part of the job and the subsequent damage has left me with a nightmare scenario of half the time and twice the work to do it in.
We WILL cope and I do like a challenge, but as you can imagine I am more than a tad miffed.

Fortunately, on the way back from taking those photos I came across our new family of Coots nestling together on the lake which lightened my mood somewhat.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Jun 2011 by Barry Pace

Ooooo! and AAaaaaah are all I can say really Peter.. Lol good luck

Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!

20 Jul 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 20 Jul 2011

The pool and outbuilding construction phase of the new pool complex is in its final stage with official handover due on Monday.
Work on the renovation of the grass courts will hopefully get under way next week.
I have had to insist on the removal of around 100 + tonnes of contaminated soil, and more than likely this amount will increase. There will be a great deal of moving of the indigenous soil to establish an even sub base and the importation of around at 300 tonnes of specially blended tennis loam prior to final levelling, consolidation and seeding.
It is going to be a very busy August and a considerable improvement in the weather is going to have to transpire if we are going to get the work done before Autumn renovation of the other courts begins.

Here are a few pictures of the activity going on this week.

The current state of three of the courts.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Jul 2011 by petermarkcraig

The tarmac path being laid to the West and South of the complex.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Jul 2011 by petermarkcraig

South aspect with woven oak fencing bordering the complex

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Jul 2011 by petermarkcraig

Stepping stone path from the pool to the sunbathing area. We will be tufing this area next week and have had to hire a digger to remove the stone and concrete layer in the area..

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Jul 2011 by petermarkcraig

Path to the left. Grass courts to the right. Spot the difference!!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Jul 2011 by petermarkcraig

Gravel filled ecoblock car park. We have carried out most of this work ourselves.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Jul 2011 by Mal

And I thought you were hoping to get them back in play before the end of the season Seriously looks like you and your team have had to contend with enough as it is particularly with you picking up some of the landscaping work too! hope you've got a well earned break booked up somewhere nice for when it is all finalised and your rennovations are complete. looks like you'll be needing it.

Regards

mal

Geography is everywhere

1 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

Work should start on the courts this week if the contractors who caused all the contamination can sort out whose paying for the repairs.
Only 2 months behind schedule!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

This picture taken this morning. It is the canvas on which the courts must be painted.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

2 Aug 2011 by vid

Dont know what you are worried about Peter looks perfect to me!!

2 Aug 2011 by Mal

They say a picture paints a thousand words and I guess that some of those may be some choice words Peter. But assuming that relatively speaking you have a reasonable open cheque book offered to you, I guess you will no doubt be relishing the prospect of getting to grips with the refurbishment and will do a thoroughly grand job without the problems of arsenic and old lace.

Geography is everywhere

11 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

Machine gun the lot of'em.................oops sorry wrong thread.

Err....the renovation of the courts starts today so I'll post a couple of pics each day through the process.

Day 1 - removal of the contaminated soil. The areas marked with white lines are where the type 1/terram protection was breached and stone has been pushed in to the indigenous soil. Some of this spoil can be used to partially fill the deeper holes but we have 100 tonnes of 6mm base loam arriving on Monday as well.
The major problem is how to consolidate the excavated areas to the same firmness as the untouched areas.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

Some of this spoil can be used to backfill the deeper excavations seen here.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

I shall take a pic from this exact same position each day there is progress.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Aug 2011 by vid Last edited 11 Aug 2011

tread and track Peter. Tread so that no soft spots can be bridged and track with the digger. I'm quite sure you can tell the eveness of compaction with your experience without resorting to Mr Clegg and his hammer. Dig off to a 30 degree or less feather any vertical edges. I am however getting a distinct feeling of eggs and sucking here!!

31 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

It's a start.

The dead vegetation has been Koro'd off and around 50 mm of topsoil has also been planed off and stockpiled for use later.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

31 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

Koro work 2

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

31 Aug 2011 by petermarkcraig

Koro 3

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

7 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Every picture tells a story!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 8 Sep 2011

Blec laser leveller

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 8 Sep 2011

Some regrading has been carried out. Rain rain stay away, come agian in about 6 weeks (if you must).

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

8 Sep 2011 by sipho

Great updates Peter - this thread must hold the record for the longest running, most viewed thread.:)

Gogga International Affairs Officer

9 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Thanks sipho.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Sep 2011 by Barry Pace

Welcome to our world of sleepless nights and constant weather forcast monitoring for what it is worth, Peter, am sure we will all get some weather break soon to get better than only just soil conditions.
As Jas says brill thread, almost addictive to see how it is progressing.
Good luck.

Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!

13 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Perfect drying conditions for last 36 hours but I'm watching a very nasty swathe of wetness heading our way that could bu***r everything up.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

13 Sep 2011 by Mal

You might be lucky Peter. Looks to me like the wadge of rain heading our way may well be fragmenting and the vibrant pinks, greens and yellows seem to be toning down abit.

Geography is everywhere

14 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Here we go again.

Having had a bloody great trench dug down the net line to accommodate pipes for gas, electricity, chlorine, sewage etc the back filling was carried out in such a way the topsoil ended up at the bottom and the subsoil at the top.
As a result the whole trench is having to be re-excavated down to 650mm (we were told the pipes were at 800mm). We are then going to put in a stone raft and concrete in permanent grass post sockets, as the ground is so unstable that the screw-in type sockets we used to use would pull out of the ground the first time the net was tensioned.
This is all delaying the grading consolidating and seeding of the courts but we have no choice.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Pipe work at 650mm NOT the 800 it should be at!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

14 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 14 Sep 2011

A bit of free advertising to A.T.Bone who are doing the work for me.................."waits for moderator axe"

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

An update on the courts.

We are currently installing the permanent sockets for the tennis posts. These will replace the screw-in type posts that we have traditionally used. It was clear to me that the ground down the middle of the courts would be far too unstable and unconsolidated to hold the screws in place.
A type 1 stone raft has been put down on top of which the sockets will be initially positioned with a soft mix before ultimately being encased in reinforced concrete with each pair of opposite facing post bases being joined with a concrete beam.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

20 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Socket installation preliminary stage.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

21 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 21 Sep 2011

Setting the sockets in the right positions is a complicated business. The format of the courts on this site is such that we can have either 4 courts in play or three intermediate courts.
The tram lines of adjacent courts are shared, so in total 14 sockets have to be installed. As the tramlines are shared, the thickness of the lines has to be taken in to consideration, especially as the width of the court is measured from outside of line to outside of line.
We also have to make sure that the slots in the top of the sockets are facing the right way.
Pictures show the team checking the measurements for the third time before the concrete pour takes place. Quite when this will be I'm not sure as the rain has made the site too soft for a concrete mixer lorry to access

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

21 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

double checking.....

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

21 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

and triple checking...........looks like Lol has had enough of checking!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

After spending a year cursing the site of concrete lorries driving all over the courts, it made a change to actually welcome one on site.
I am praying for a decent week next week.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

STEP 2

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

23 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

1 down 8 to go.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

27 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Significant progress at least.

The trench has been back filled and consolidated and conditions have been dry enough for the power harrow to be used.

We have also moved some of the new soil on to the north side ready for amelioration and laser levelling.

The race is on now to bring in and apply 200 cubic metres of 4mm screened loam before the weather turns again.

Cross your fingers please folks.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

27 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Progress at last.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

27 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

Introducing Christoff (sp).
Dumper truck driver extraordinaire.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

27 Sep 2011 by eddyinfreehold

Keep going Peter, the Met Office is on your side ! Good luck.

"Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Dry and unusually warm for the time of year, with a good deal of sunshine after any overnight or early morning mist and fog clears."

27 Sep 2011 by vid

Those Blec levelling blades will make mincemeat of 200T - so long as you get it there it will be levelled in no time. I have seen 2000t of type 1 levelled in to an astroturf base to a 10mm tolerance in one day - mind you with a Cat DB8 - same principle though.

27 Sep 2011 by petermarkcraig

That's reassuring vid. My worry is the soil suppliers are being pulled from pillar to post by cricket clubs wanting their weather delayed deliveries yesterday.
It depends on where we are on the delivery backlog list.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

29 Sep 2011 by vid

Yeah, you're not wrong. Sporting surfaces 3 weeks at the mo and had a conversation with Bournes who said they have never been so busy. Hopefully thats because they are too busy getting your order ready Peter!!

4 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

4 loads in 12 to go and as the soil rolls in so do the dark clouds

Sprinklers going in, 20 of them. For now being set at current levels with gravel being put round the swing joints so they can be manipulated to the final levels without too much disturbance.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Nice to see someone happy in their work. Mind you it was close to home time.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Rain rain please stay away.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

One thing that is going to be very problematic is leaf fall. The South of the courts is lined with several large plane trees with leaves the size of dinner plates.
They have already started shedding, as you can see from the last photo, and once the germination fleece comes off it is going to be very difficult to keep the courts clear without damaging the young seedlings.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

4 Oct 2011 by paul kelsey

Peter look no further if you have leaf problems just get the expert in Mr Glynn.

4 Oct 2011 by eddyinfreehold

PMC

I would be very shy of making a suggestion on this UK mega project but I did once have to lay a single tennis court for a customer in late October under a canopy of huge Beech trees. The budget was generous so I bought a load of cheap plastic bird mesh from B&Q and stapled it to roofing lathe frames put on a staked grid 2' over the sown soil. For the area you have PMC this is probably out of the question but it worked fine for the 6 weeks between germination and walkonability.

Really impressed with the job from start to finish, the planning , execution and progress under trying times. Do the members respect what you are doing too?

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 10 Oct 2011

Eddy thanks for the suggestion and the kind words.

We will be seeding tomorrow and then covering in germniation sheets probably for about a week maybe longer. So intially the leaves won't be a problem. I shall give your idea some thought but as you say, 3000 sq metres is one heck of a lot of bird mesh.

Made good progress in the last few days.

Few more snaps.

200 cm3 of soil finally being delivered and grading work carried out along the southern path edge. The area has been laser graded to provide a North to South gradient of 0.275% and North West to South East 0.125%.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Levelling work South of courts by river path.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Tilthing the surface.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Spreading the topsoil over the site.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Laser grading the soil. The laser was set to provide 0.125% fall North South and a 0.275% fall NW - SE. This was not the ideal gradient but the path level at the East end was considerably higher than before the pool was rebuilt so our hand was rather forced. We may have to install a French drain and soakaway at the East end to catch the water flowing on to the grass from the path.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Rob Kendle scratching his head. The sloil was quite damp which caused problems by clogging the laser grader. As always the problems were overcome.....eventually.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

The final lorry load of topsoil

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Final tilthing prior to matting and seeding. Seeding tomorrow weather permitting.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

10 Oct 2011 by Mal

Hi Peter, out of interest what was the topsoil you used i.e textural makeup? Mega impressive paricularly when most of us have just completed our tennis rennovations. But I guess you could say yours rennovations are pretty well agressive

Geography is everywhere

10 Oct 2011 by eddyinfreehold

I was going to ask the same question Mal, is this a general topsoil prior to a tennis loam top dressing or is the whole import a tennis loam? If it's a trade secret, no worries Peter, sorry to pry. No need to reply.

Fingers still crossed for you, I wish I could send you our rain for a month once the seed is down. I Need a bit of blue sky.

11 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 11 Oct 2011

In answer to the questions on the soil. The plan initially was to regrade/power harrow the existing soil, ameliorate 4mm screened 20% Clay, 61% sand, 19% silt tennis loam and reseed.
Due to the bomb site that they left considerably more loam was required and of course it was needed much later than anticipated.
As a result we went with a 6mm screened loam (280cm3 in total) for the entire job as production and supply of this was much easier than the 4mm.
Once the new grass is established I will be adding a couple of further dressings of 4mm loam to provide a better finshed surface and to level out any surface imperfections that will inevitably be present.

Today we finally got the seed in the ground. After initially expecting to do this in May, completion in mid-October was not in the game plan, but as they say "better late than never" (I hope).

A final rake.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

A final finish with a drag mat

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Application of Rigby Taylor R9 grass seed mix.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

A good old tidy up around the edges....

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

....and on goes the germination sheeting. Night night OPQR. Next time we see you you'll be all green and stuff.

I'm going to go out and get quite drunk tonight.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Oct 2011 by A J

Well done petermarkcraig, staff & contractors.

Thoroughly enjoyed following this thread, Sound job. How soon do you realistically see the courts being ready for play peter?

Andy.

Grow in grace...........

11 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 11 Oct 2011

Thanks Andy. The thread isn't finished yet. I'll only rest completely when they are back in play, which I optimistically am reckoning on being mid to late June.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Oct 2011 by Neil Dixon

looks like you (and staff) deserve a well earned drink Peter!!

11 Oct 2011 by A J

Lighting rigs would come in handy don`t you think? Seen quite a few of these lately popping up at different sporting venues in all shapes and sizes. maybe one for the xmas list peter?

One thinks that this will be the longest single handed thread ever!

Grow in grace...........

11 Oct 2011 by eddyinfreehold

Peter, great job and superb reportage. Enjoy your evening out with the crew. There is a whole lecture tour in that project so don't lose the photos !

11 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Not taking the crew out tonight but will certainly be doing that in the very near future..........and as many of them read this site I won't get away with it!!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

11 Oct 2011 by eddyinfreehold

Sorry mate, just emptied your wallet for you, and that at London prices too :-( .

12 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig Last edited 12 Oct 2011

It was remiss of me not to credit the excellent service provided by the loam provider, Surrey Loams Ltd.
The ever changing delivery dates proved a logistical nightmare for them, and given the circumstances they came through with flying colours.
So thanks to Margaret, Sarah, Jason and Matt and the very cooperative and patient drivers that delivered it all.

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

19 Oct 2011 by petermarkcraig

Lots of pictures and deserved mentions for various individuals and contractors in this thread, but this one is of a team of people who have worked their socks off this year to not only get the swimming pool project completed, but at the same time look after the other 41.5 acres of grounds and gardens at The Hurlingham Club.

Thanks guys and gals. GREAT JOB!!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Nov 2011 by petermarkcraig

Just got back from a week in Turkey, a holiday I needed and enjoyed enormously.
As the following snaps show germination has taken place and in general it is even and strong. However we have had just enough rain here to prevent access with any kind of mower and an attempt, suggested by me to blow the leaves off with a wheeled blower resulted in this!

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Nov 2011 by petermarkcraig

So plan B was to send out a team with back-pack blowers and tesco bags wrapped round their boots, and this has done a reasonably good job.

'Every little helps.'

Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.

1 Nov 2011 by Barry Pace

Reverse gear anyone lol? Will soon fill in I am sure.

Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!

1 Nov 2011 by wicketdevil

opps we all do these things . Glad you had a great holiday. Ian

Can you just is the longest sentence in the world !!!!!!!

10 Nov 2011 by petermarkcraig