Willmott Dixon has been selected to construct an integrated world-class facility on Somerset Road, adjacent to the venue for tennis’ most prestigious event, The Championships, Wimbledon
The Somerset Road project will see Willmott Dixon demolish the existing indoor courts and replace them with a facility that will significantly enhance the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC) offering for both its members year-round and competitors during The Championships.
The Somerset Road project includes 12 new tennis courts (six indoor and six outdoor) and associated club house facilities; a single-storey underground car park for up to 338 vehicles that will be the hub of The Championships’ courtesy car operation; an enhanced arrivals experience for competitors at The Championships; and upgraded Centre Court chiller plant.
The building’s double-curved roof structure and surrounding landscaping will ensure it blends in sensitively with the local area, retaining the AELTC’s guiding principle of ‘tennis in an English garden’ throughout its Grounds.
The upgrade is part of the AELTC’s Master Plan and has been commissioned to ensure Wimbledon remains the finest stage in world tennis, while also offering the best facilities for AELTC Members throughout the year.
Roger Forsdyke, managing director for Willmott Dixon in South London and the South East, said: “We are looking forward to be working with The All England Lawn Tennis Club to create these superb new facilities in a location that is synonymous with excellence in everything associated with tennis.
“We’ll be bringing our experience of working in live environments to ensure we keep any impact of work on the local community to an absolute minimum – something underlined by our projects regularly scoring above average marks by the Considerate Constructors Scheme.”
Work will commence in August 2019 and the Somerset Road project is expected to be completed by the end of October 2021.
