Wilmot Tennis Courts
Timeline
The Wilmot Park Tennis Courts were constructed in the late 1950’s early 1960’s and initially consisted of four clay courts.
In the late 1970’s these courts were paved and an additional two courts were added to the facility.
2003 - A study by AMEC Earth and Environmental Limited (environmental and engineering consultants) was conducted on the Kimble Park Tennis Courts to determine what had caused the deterioration of that facility. The Kimble Park Tennis Courts used a type of sand mix asphalt and this is suspected as the leading contributing factor. Amec recommended that for future tennis courts that "… a courser more highly fractured asphalt pavement be used to ensure adequate shear strength is attained."
2008 - Council approved the funds required to undertake a complete rebuild of the courts (with major work to be carried-out over the 2009 and 2010 season). This two-year time frame was utilized to allow for as little down time as possible for users (allowing partial use during both seasons) as well as providing time required to allow the sub-base to properly settle over the winter.
2008 - The engineering firm CBCL Limited was engaged to prepare the engineering and work plan for the project.
2009 – "Phase One" of the Wilmot Park Tennis Court rebuild commenced in the fall of 2009 and included: removal of the fencing, removal of the existing lighting system, surface and subsurface, and preparation of the sub grade. At this point, engineered fill was installed (24 inch depth) along with the drainage system. Also, all subsurface electrical equipment, new lighting poles and the control system were installed. In determining the lighting specifications for the Wilmot Park Tennis Courts it was decided to use a system that would meet National tournament requirements. This system is designed to provide light to the courts and reduce the amount of light spillage to surrounding areas. As a result, users of the courts can enjoy high level lighting with minimal inconvenience to surrounding property owners.
2010 – "Phase Two" of the project was carried-out in the spring of 2010 and included: ground preparation - compacting of fine grade and granular, and the installation of recommended asphalt surfacing. Most recently, the initial plexipave coatings were applied to the surface of the facility, the fencing and net systems were installed, and the lighting components completed – allowing public access to the facility for much of July and for the remainder of the 2010 play season.
2010 - Currently, fencing of the facility (specifically ground-level coverage to ensure that balls cannot roll out of the play area) is being completed, and a coat of plexipave is being applied to the remaining three courts (within the next two-weeks). The landscaping will also be finished during August.
2011 - As a final component of the project, all surfaces will have a final plexipave coat applied in the spring of 2011.
Drainage
