Two more courts will be rebuilt at Wimbledon in time for the 2012 Olympics, when the All England Club will stage the tennis tournament. With the club already installing a retractable roof on the Centre Court for 2009, the new facilities will increase the capacity by a further 2,500, both for the annual championships and the London Games.
An insider is quoted in today’s edition of Building magazine as saying: “The latest thinking is to do this build in two or three phases and aim for the Olympics. It would provide more space and circulation.”
Planning permission has been obtained for the No 3 Court, for which there will be 2,500 permanent and a further 2,500 temporary seats, to be dismantled after tournaments because they would obstruct the view for the club’s neighbours.
A club spokesman accepted yesterday that the project was under discussion but could not confirm the timescale. However, completing the work by 2012 would give the club a deadline for an event that will be one of the most internationally recognisable for the Games.
The new No 2 Court will also have upgraded facilities for players and spectators, including those for retail and catering. The club says that the seating will be about three metres above ground level and the playing surface will be about two metres below it, so as to maintain views across the rest of the club.
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The plans would allow the southern courts to be rearranged to give wider walkways. There would also be improved broadcasting and camera facilities.
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Courts on the Wimbledon grounds at present (grass, clay, red shale, and indoor)
Source: All England Lawn Tennis Club