Floodlights are a must for maximising access to tennis courts. Without lights, tennis becomes a summer-only sport for many and excludes everyone who isn’t available during daylight hours.
Floodlight technology is changing all the time and energy efficiency is vital these days. Many tennis clubs use floodlights with Halogen bulbs, which use ten times more energy than LED bulbs. Replacement Halogen bulbs are now unavailable under government measures to cut carbon emissions. In order to avoid being left in the dark clubs with Halogen lighting will need to replace the housings and fittings and convert lighting to LED.
This is not cheap. A typical 2022 cost to upgrade floodlights for two floodlit tennis courts is in excess of £10,000 – plus VAT. Some grant funders are willing to look at projects that will upgrade floodlit facilities, as well as projects to install floodlights for the first time.
Successful applications include:
Grants for replacement floodlights at Ely Tennis Club, 2021, with LED lighting and poles
Grants for new floodlights saw two courts floodlit for the first time at Duxford LTC in 2021, and a further two courts at Haslingfield LTC in 2018.
STEVE GOSWELL at Funding4Tennis offers FREE initial advice on all types of tennis funding, and a grant application service on a NO WIN NO FEE basis.
Contact him by email at s.goswell@gmail.com, or fill in the contact form here.
[Photo credits: Header image by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay; Top image by Steve Goswell]