Wimbledon's centre court
Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2003 6:23 pm
This will be of interest to tennis fans. The All England Club has decided to apply for planning permission to put a roof over Wimbledon's centre court. Plans will be unveiled in the new year.
This will surely put the wind up the traditionalists!
Centre Court may be heading for cover
By John Parsons
19 December 2003
The Daily Telegraph
THE probability of the All England Club installing a roof over Wimbledon's Centre Court moved a step closer following the club's decision to apply for planning permission for such a structure. Although no final decision has been made about the scheme, club officials have always maintained that they would seriously consider the project, provided several practical issues could be overcome - and one by one these are being resolved. Certainly the possibility of there being a roof over the 81-year-old Centre Court - something which has been debated almost every time rain has caused a lengthy stoppage in the last 25 years - in time for the 2005 or 2006 championships must be a reality. In particular, the club have been seeking proof that climatic problems could be overcome. A few years ago when floodlights were tested, the evening dew quickly proved that without a roof lighting would not be beneficial.
There would, after all, be no point in having a roof if, by being covered for a day or more in the middle of the championships, the grass became so damaged by condensation that the court surface then cut up to an extent that rendered it almost unplayable. Something similar happened a few years ago in the pre-Wimbledon tournament in Halle in Germany - the first professional grasscourt tournament to be played under a roof. However, the information coming back from scientists who have been carrying out extensive tests in the United States has been positive and encouraging. Although only six days have been completely rained off at The Championships in the last 25 years, there have been several other years in which play has suffered lengthy rain delays. The ability of tennis to continue under cover would benefit those with Centre Court tickets on that day. In addition, the added costs when rain forced the men's singles final in 2001 to be held over until the third Monday were considerable and also raised some concern for the future among some major television companies who had planned their normal extensive coverage on the second Sunday. The All England Club have called a press conference next month to unveil what they call "the club's innovative plans for the Centre Court of the future". Not everyone will be happy, least of all those faithful followers who have queued up outside all night only to find themselves with no option but to watch the Centre Court action on big screens. On the other hand, officials of the All England Club know that Wimbledon has to move with the times - and that means breaking some traditions while retaining the club's respect - if it is to maintain the pre-eminent role it continues to enjoy.
This will surely put the wind up the traditionalists!
Centre Court may be heading for cover
By John Parsons
19 December 2003
The Daily Telegraph
THE probability of the All England Club installing a roof over Wimbledon's Centre Court moved a step closer following the club's decision to apply for planning permission for such a structure. Although no final decision has been made about the scheme, club officials have always maintained that they would seriously consider the project, provided several practical issues could be overcome - and one by one these are being resolved. Certainly the possibility of there being a roof over the 81-year-old Centre Court - something which has been debated almost every time rain has caused a lengthy stoppage in the last 25 years - in time for the 2005 or 2006 championships must be a reality. In particular, the club have been seeking proof that climatic problems could be overcome. A few years ago when floodlights were tested, the evening dew quickly proved that without a roof lighting would not be beneficial.
There would, after all, be no point in having a roof if, by being covered for a day or more in the middle of the championships, the grass became so damaged by condensation that the court surface then cut up to an extent that rendered it almost unplayable. Something similar happened a few years ago in the pre-Wimbledon tournament in Halle in Germany - the first professional grasscourt tournament to be played under a roof. However, the information coming back from scientists who have been carrying out extensive tests in the United States has been positive and encouraging. Although only six days have been completely rained off at The Championships in the last 25 years, there have been several other years in which play has suffered lengthy rain delays. The ability of tennis to continue under cover would benefit those with Centre Court tickets on that day. In addition, the added costs when rain forced the men's singles final in 2001 to be held over until the third Monday were considerable and also raised some concern for the future among some major television companies who had planned their normal extensive coverage on the second Sunday. The All England Club have called a press conference next month to unveil what they call "the club's innovative plans for the Centre Court of the future". Not everyone will be happy, least of all those faithful followers who have queued up outside all night only to find themselves with no option but to watch the Centre Court action on big screens. On the other hand, officials of the All England Club know that Wimbledon has to move with the times - and that means breaking some traditions while retaining the club's respect - if it is to maintain the pre-eminent role it continues to enjoy.