Another big investment in FTC’s future gets under way today (Monday 27 July) as the resurfacing works on Court 1 commence. The  court  is being  resurfaced with TigerTurf Advantage Pro to exactly match the surface on Court 2 that has become popular with members since being installed two years ago.  That  will  give  the   club  two hard  courts  and two  synthetic  grass courts, allowing matches to be played on either surface for the first time.

The work is being done by Paul (above) from our  chosen contractor 1st Surface, which also did the work on Court 2. This time round, though, there’s a bit  more to the resurfacing because cracking in the tarmac caused by the intrusion of roots has to be dealt with to ensure the new surface is entirely smooth. 

The work is costing the club around £16,500 with £7500 of that coming as a grant from Chichester District Council. Our Court 1 improvement scheme also includes the provision of floodlights on Court 1 (and brighter lights on Court 2) and with a further £7500 grant from CDC for that we hope to be able to report soon on when this work will commence. We would not be able to proceed with these improvements in such a timely way without the support of Chichester District Council. 

Given dry weather Paul should have the  carpet down by Monday 3 August with the rest of that week needed for it to settle. We hope at this stage to be able to reopen the court by Saturday 8 August. 

While the 1st Surface team is in Fishbourne they will also be cleaning and replenishing the sand on Court 2.