Choosing the Right Solution

When the club decided to address its winter tennis problem, Rick was clear about priorities. “Fundamentally, we aimed to enable our members to play tennis indoors. We wanted the most affordable structure to achieve that, so we chose an air dome rather than a more traditional build.”

The Grange commissioned Covair to design and install a bespoke two-court permanent air dome, conceived as an environment for performance tennis. With LTA funding supporting the project, the dome was designed to meet LTA specifications—including generous run-backs, a ten-metre apex, and perimeter-mounted lighting positioned above the run-backs rather than over the courts. A bespoke green exterior and fully opaque membrane that prevents glare completed the design.

A Space That Exceeds Expectations

Head Coach Calum Meston remembers his first impression vividly. “I remember being taken aback by how big it felt. From the outside, you don’t expect that height or the space. Our outdoor courts have about two and a half metres behind the baseline. So, suddenly, you’ve got an extra three or four metres on top of that. It makes the whole space feel huge.”

Rick adds with a smile: “It has a TARDIS-like quality.”

For coaches and players alike, the playing experience has proven exceptional. “Personally, I’ll always choose to play on the indoor courts,” says Calum. “You can actually hear the moment your racket connects with the ball. It’s louder. Rewarding. It really helps from a coaching perspective, too.”

The Numbers Tell the Story

The transformation has been dramatic. The Grange now runs around 80% of its winter programme indoors—a massive shift that’s being felt at every level of the club.

“There has been a 75% increase in participation in our coaching programmes since the dome was installed,” Calum reports. “So we’ve expanded it and brought on more coaches.”

Rick has tracked dome usage against rainfall data and found a direct correlation. “It’s doing exactly what we wanted—giving members more options and letting them continue to play regardless of outdoor conditions.”

Accelerating Player Development

Beyond participation numbers, the consistency of training is transforming player development. “Player development has been a lot faster since the dome was installed,” Calum explains. “They’re getting more repetition, reading the ball earlier and learning more consistently. That’s exactly what you want during the winter technical phase. It means that in spring, we can deep dive into technique and lock in muscle memory.”

The dome also supports The Grange’s performance pathway. “We’ve got juniors wanting to play in ITF, LTA and National Academy environments,” Calum notes. “You need an indoor acrylic court for that. It’s what they train on across the UK and Europe. Now they can prepare properly here.”

The quality has been noticed beyond the club’s membership. “Since its installation, Tennis Scotland has expressed interest in running junior performance camps. That’s an endorsement of its design and quality,” Rick explains.

Strengthening Community Connections

Perhaps most rewarding has been the dome’s impact on community engagement. “The dome has deepened our connection to the local community,” Rick shares. “In the last 12 months, more than 200 schoolchildren participated in tennis sessions, bringing the total number of community engagements to around 500.”

Calum sees the difference this makes every day. “We can promise local schools indoor facilities for around 120 kids at a time and know they won’t miss their session. It means they get to stay active at least once a week. That’s so important for physical and mental health and wellbeing.”

“You get that wow from the kids and the parents the first time they step inside,” he adds. “I never get tired of hearing that amazement and seeing the look on their faces. For many, it’s their first time playing indoors. The light, the scale, and the sound of the ball echoing around the space make it feel special.”

Built to Withstand Scottish Weather

Rick was confident an air dome was the ideal solution, even for Scotland’s harsh and unpredictable climate. Just weeks after installation, he was proven right.

“Scotland was hit by its first red-warning storm in over a decade. Paddle canopies and neighbouring structures struggled, but the dome stood firm,” he remembers. “The dome’s curved profile let high winds travel up and over the structure, reducing surface pressure. Its constant internal air pressure also helped it hold shape during those severe gusts.”

More Than Just Tennis

Versatility has been an unexpected bonus. Junior cricket sessions, girls’ cricket, pickleball, and junior movement classes have all been held inside the dome. “At the end of the day, it’s a large rectangular covered space,” Rick notes. “You can use it for whatever you want.”

Making the Most of Opportunity

For clubs considering similar investments, Calum offers important advice: “From a business perspective, you’re increasing participation, revenue and reliability. It lets you move forward and develop ideas with confidence.”

“But,” he adds, “you must have a growth mindset. You’ve got to want to make a go of it. If you have that, then a dome opens up a world of possibilities.”

A New Era for The Grange

The dome has reshaped The Grange’s winter rhythm, strengthened its coaching pathway, expanded its community reach, and enabled consistent year-round tennis. It blends contemporary architectural planning, modern materials, and official LTA specifications to create a year-round tennis facility within a traditional residential area—a fitting combination of old and new that reflects The Grange’s heritage and its forward-thinking philosophy.

“It’s ushered in a new era of year-round indoor play for members,” Rick concludes. And for a club that’s been serving Edinburgh’s sporting community for nearly 200 years, that’s quite something.