No.1 Court, Wimbledon

Careys’ first package for AELTC, working under Sir Robert McAlpine, consisted of infrastructure works, including cut and fill, concrete foundations and drainage. We also undertook hard and soft landscaping, installing a range of specialist materials, including Scottish green schist, Italian porphyry, Dutch clay paviours, Marshals block paving and stainlesssteel edging across the site. We were also responsible for the design, supply, and installation of the drainage channels and planters.

Significant pre-planning and engagement with AELTC and other stakeholders took place to ensure that we understood the specific requirements. Our programme included the rapid reinstatement of multiple areas of works and sequential handovers to ensure minimal disruption to the venue.

The first part of the project Careys carried out directly for AELTC was to lay 1,000m2 of flooring in the Millennium Building - which holds changing rooms, a mini gym, interview rooms and a restaurant
overlooking the courts. Access to the workface was only
possible through the building itself.

Such was the relationship we developed with the client that we became the first ever contractor allowed to retain a presence on site during the main Championship.

Working with specialist materials

The green schist was the most challenging material to obtain. As it is a natural stone, it is impossible to predict the amount of material without fissures and veins that can be extracted and the quarry experienced some delays in producing the required quantities. We had recognised the likelihood of this and we arranged a meeting at the quarry between the principal contractor, the supplier, and ourselves so that everyone understood the situation up front and contingency plans could be made.

Careys maintained meticulous quality control over the processing of the cut stone. Once cut, it had to be washed and hand-worked with a wire brush to achieve the specified anti-slip rating specified and texture, hand- flamed to achieve the right colour, and then washed again to remove any residue.

Our suppliers of the beeding, mortar and stone - Stenitec and CED - also came to the site to brief our operatives on the optimal process for laying the stone and achieving the highest finish. As part of our on site quality management process, we laid sample panels for the client to approve.