NOTES ON REINFORCED CONCRETE TENNIS COURTS

These specifications have been prepared to serve
as a guide in writing specifications for particular jobs.
They cover, in general, the preparation-of the subbase and
the making, placing, finishing and curing-of<the concrete.
Other features to be considered, such as fence enclosures,
flood-lights for night playing, drinking fountains, posts,
nets, and club howse facilities, are usually “items which vary
widely with different court installations and a be treated
in accordance with the individual job.

The smooth even surface of a concrete tennis court
‘available at any season of the year, except during an actual
storm, appeals to the lover of the game. There is never a
“delay occasioned by the need of rolling and marking oe
court. The hard surface makes a fast ball with an accurate
bounce adding to the speed of the game, a feature essential
to successful play. Be er ee

Many park departments in our: cities’ have chosen
reinforced concrete for tocnni's courts because concrete courts
add to: the length of the pla aying season and‘reduce maintenance
¢oste' tea ‘minim. “Wher one park superintendent in a mid-
western city was asked why he: favored concrete tennis court
“construction he said, "Our people now have a tennis season
90 days longer than when we were using earth courts. While
the original Goet. of construction is somewhat larger the re-
duced naintenance more ean offsets the initial increase
expenditures. - a.

Reinforced concrete is especially adapted to private
tennis courts. Little or-no attention is required to keep
the surface in condition and this feature is appreciated
where it is not possible to have a caretaker cons tantly avail-
able to keep = anpeere waltabee oF play.

Color incorporated into the concrete slab at the
time it is placed, in the ‘form of mineral pigments, makes a
court that will harmonize’ with the general color scheme of
the surrounding landscape and in the opinion of some players
adds to the pleasure of the game.’ i

In: the northern sections of our country a properly
constructed tennis court may be flooded, frozen over, and
used’ for ice skating during the winter tbe hs , thus adding
to its usefulness in providing healthful reercation, If
flood-lights are installed, they may be used during the skat-
ing season as well as during the summer months.