Once started, all you need to do is finish, right? Well, the constructions crews working on the tennis courts have found otherwise.
First of all, why did the work have to be done? Well, every year the courts sank and cracked, and it was learned that the locations of these failures aligned with pipes leading to the original leach system. So, to address this once and for all, the District hired a company to open up these locations and make it right. The contractor found the pipes, and found some much weaker soil in the trenches where there should have been decent backfill. This was replaced, and made strong with the addition of lime; the pipes themselves were plugged with concrete, and the surface was restored.
Before placing the new surface, a test court topping was placed so the paving work could work. The first truck rumbled over, and pavement was seen pumping and slabs tilting. Rather than finish the work and have to come back to redo it, the contractor elected to investigate, and discovered the soil beneath the entire court would not meet today’s standards. So, the District has approved the treatment of the soil immediately beneath the entire court area with concrete - the surest way to provide for a court surface that will last, won’t crack, and will not need weeding every spring.
This pushes the completion of the tennis court project until August 24, the last day before the new school year beings.
At this time the poles (new poles, with bronze interior gears to be safer and longer lasting) will be in, and it will be time to hang our new nets (thank you, Fair Oaks Racquet Club!). About this time we should also see the pony fences become installed to keep the courts separated (thank you, Eagle Scout-to-be Tyler McCurley!). Plans are underway to secure funding for between-court benches and shades, windscreens, new gates in the center of the courts, and a little construction to bring water and power to the courts. A little bit into the Fall Girls’ Season, their home court will be ready for play!
In the long term, and with substantial help from the community, lights may be installed to allow night-time play. The conduits are being laid to set the stage for this improvement; bringing this vision to reality will involve a lot of work, a lot of people, and a lot of energy - stay tuned.
If you have any questions on the construction, send an email to Jim Hartley at jhartley07@gmail.com. If you’re interested in future plans for the courts, contact Steve Germoles at sgermoles@comstockmortgage.com. If you want to know anything about Tennis at BV, contact Coach Karla at kallen612@comcast.net.
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