Tennis Club to install air dome to keep weather at bay

Galway Lawn Tennis Club has served up plans for an inflatable ‘air dome’ over four courts, which will allow play during bad weather.

However, city planners have stipulated that the dome can only be in place between September and April each year for the next three years.

In April last year, the club sought permission for the air-supported structure on its land on Threadneedle Road.

The dome will be 64 metres long, 34 metres wide and 11.2 metres high, and there will also be a single-storey structure to house the associated fan, as well as providing seasonal storage when the dome is removed.

Following a lengthy process of seeking further information and clarifications, planners approved the application, although concerns were again voiced about the proposals.

The Council’s Executive Planner John Doody wrote: “There is a concern regarding the temporary/seasonal element of the dome as it is clear that the erection and demounting of the dome structure is a significant undertaking, involving 15 persons and seven hours to complete (105 hours), occurring twice a year.

“Taking this into consideration, the effort involved in the erection and demounting of the structure, its cost, as it can only be carried out by trained persons, leads to the question: once erected will it be ever demounted? In this case, a specific condition should be attached which would require the demounting of the dome within a specified period.

“It is considered that a temporary permission issue, limiting the erection of the dome to a period of three years.

“This time period would allow for the assemble of empirical data involving the erection and demounting of the dome, the actual operational noise levels generated by the blower over this period and allow for the examination of compliance by the applicant with any conditions controlling the development.

“It would also allow any third parties to comment on any issues which arise during the operational period to be examined,” Mr Doody wrote in his planning report.

Permission was granted, for a period of three years (unless a subsequent permission is granted), on condition that the dome only be erected between September and April, and the erection and demounting should occur at the start and end of those months.

“This, however, may be weather dependant, if so, the applicant shall inform the planning authority in writing of any early erections or delays in demounting, all such agreements shall be in writing,” the decision reads.

Each time the dome is erected or dismantled, a “suitably qualified person” must prepare a report on the dates and times and the number of people involved, along with photographs of the works.

Noise monitoring must also be carried out once every two months, day and night, with a report being submitted to the Council every six months.

According to the application, the dome will cover four of the nine tennis courts, and is not aimed at generating increased revenue.

“The proposed development is to provide shelter from inclement weather conditions for tennis players from the club, local schools and charitable organisations. It is not intended to be used mainly for profit or gain,” the application reads.

A further submission to planners stated: “Future net profits should not increase by more than 10% from the dome structure.”

The club was founded in 1900 and now has nine tennis courts, seven championship badminton courts and six international squash courts, as well as a gym.

“The primary activity in the club is tennis, which is played on the nine outdoor floodlit courts with artificial grass.

“However, given the club is located in the west of Ireland, the weather – especially in the winter months – causes major disruption for the club.

“It is proposed that a temporary air-supported dome structure be constructed over four tennis courts, allowing tennis to be played in any weather conditions,” the application reads.