A Tennis Club’s Guide to Covering Courts

Every tennis club in the UK faces the same problem. You have six months of good weather and six months where rain, wind, cold, and fading light make outdoor tennis difficult or impossible. Courts sit empty. Members drift away. Coaching programmes shrink. Revenue drops.

Covering your courts changes everything. A covered court can be played on 12 months a year, in any weather, from early morning to late evening. Clubs that cover their courts typically report an immediate increase in utilisation, membership retention, coaching revenue, and community engagement.

But deciding to cover your courts is just the first step. Which courts do you cover? What type of structure? How do you fund it? What about planning permission? This guide answers every question a tennis club committee needs to address, from the initial idea to opening day.

Why Cover Your Courts?

The business case for covering tennis courts is one of the strongest in sports facility investment. Here’s why:

More Playing Hours

An uncovered outdoor court in the UK loses a substantial number of playing hours each year to weather, fading light, and surface conditions. A covered court is playable in virtually all conditions, significantly increasing the number of usable hours — particularly through the winter months.

Winter Revenue

Most clubs see a dramatic drop in court usage between November and March. Covered courts eliminate this seasonal dip entirely. Winter court hire at covered facilities typically commands a premium, because demand for indoor play far outstrips supply in most areas.

Member Retention

Members join tennis clubs to play tennis. When they can’t play for five months of the year, they question the value of their subscription. Covered courts give members year-round access, which directly improves retention rates and reduces the annual churn that drains club finances.

Coaching Growth

Coaches need consistent, bookable court time to build sustainable programmes. Covered courts allow coaching to run year-round without weather cancellations. Junior development, adult group sessions, and private lessons all benefit. Many clubs find that coaching revenue alone justifies the investment in covering courts.

Competitive Advantage

In most parts of the UK, covered tennis courts are in short supply. A club with covered courts immediately differentiates itself from uncovered competitors, attracting new members, better coaches, and county-level events that require guaranteed play.

Your Covering Options

There are three main types of structure suitable for covering tennis courts. Each has distinct characteristics, and the right choice depends on your priorities, budget, and planning situation.

Seasonal Air Domes

Erected in October, removed in April. Single-skin membrane inflated by fan units. Your courts return to full outdoor play every summer. This is the most popular option for tennis clubs because it perfectly matches the seasonal pattern of UK tennis: outdoor in summer, covered in winter.

• Single court (PE membrane): From £85,000. Membrane life 10–15 years.
• Single court (PVC membrane): Higher upfront cost for a 20–30 year membrane life.
• Double court (PE): Prices scale with size. Better per-court economics.
• Installation: 3–4 days to erect, 4–8 hours to remove.
• Power: Standard single-phase 240V 13A supply.

Permanent Air Domes

Double-skin membrane with insulating air gap. Stays up year-round with full climate control. The premium option for clubs that want consistent conditions every day of the year and are prepared to invest for the long term.

• ECO Basic: From £150,000. Double-skin with basic thermal barrier.
• ECO Advance: Upgrade-ready for future insulation retrofit.
• ECO Ultra: A-rated insulation (U-value 0.65 W/m²K). Premium specification.
• Features: Integrated LED sports lighting, acoustic treatments, HVAC, smart monitoring.

Framed Fabric Structures

Rigid frame (geodesic, steel arch, or timber arch) with a fabric covering. Can be open-sided, partially enclosed, or fully enclosed with sliding curtain systems. Ideal for clubs that want spectator access and a social atmosphere alongside covered play.

• Geodesic: From £72,500. Clean lines, efficient spans.
• Steel arch: From £180,000. Larger spans, multi-court.
• Timber arch: From £150,000. Attractive, suits community settings.
• Key advantage: Zero fan/pressurisation costs. Natural ventilation.

How Many Courts Should You Cover?

This is one of the first strategic decisions your committee will face. The answer depends on your club’s size, demand, and budget.

Single Court

The entry point. Ideal for smaller clubs (2–4 courts total) where covering one court delivers enough capacity for winter coaching and social play. A single covered court can generate significant additional revenue while keeping the investment manageable. Most clubs start here.

Double Court

The sweet spot for many mid-size clubs (4–8 courts). Two covered courts allow simultaneous coaching and social play, host internal leagues, and run junior programmes alongside adult sessions. The per-court cost is lower than a single court, making it the better investment if your budget stretches.

Multi-Court (3+)

For larger clubs and county venues. Three or more covered courts enable tournament hosting, multi-age coaching programmes, and significant winter revenue. The investment is substantial, but so is the return for high-demand clubs in areas with limited indoor court availability.

Court Dimensions and Dome Sizing

Getting the dimensions right is critical. Too small, and the playing experience suffers. Too large, and you’re paying for unused space.

Minimum Requirements

The ITF recommends a minimum playing area of 17.07m x 34.77m for a single court (including run-offs). In practice, most clubs and dome manufacturers work to an 18m x 36m footprint for a single court, which provides comfortable run-offs on all sides.

Height

Minimum clear internal height should be 10m for club and recreational play, with 12m+ recommended for competitive and coaching use. Air domes naturally achieve generous apex heights due to their curved profile.

Surface Considerations

Your existing court surface will typically remain in place under the dome. Hard courts (acrylic or macadam), artificial clay, and artificial grass are all compatible. Natural clay courts require additional consideration as the dome environment changes moisture and temperature conditions. Discuss your specific surface with your supplier.

Planning Permission

Seasonal Domes

Seasonal air domes typically require a seasonal planning consent (usually October to April), which is generally straightforward to obtain from your local authority.

Many clubs have successfully operated seasonal domes for years under these arrangements with no planning issues. The key is to apply for seasonal consent before your first installation and to comply with any conditions (such as specific erection and removal dates).

Permanent Structures

Permanent domes and framed structures require full planning permission. For tennis clubs, the application is generally straightforward because you’re improving an existing sports facility rather than building on greenfield land. Key considerations include visual impact on neighbours, lighting (if adding floodlights), noise, and traffic/parking.

Funding Your Project

Finding the money is often the biggest challenge for volunteer-run tennis clubs. The good news is that there are more funding options available than most committees realise.

Club Reserves

Many clubs have accumulated reserves over the years. A dome project is exactly the kind of strategic investment those reserves exist for. Even if reserves don’t cover the full cost, they can fund a deposit or reduce the amount you need to finance.

Lease Finance

Spreading the cost over 5–10 years through a lease arrangement is the most popular funding route for tennis clubs. The dome is treated as an operational expense, and the monthly payments are often exceeded by the additional revenue generated — making the investment cash-flow positive from year one. DomeFinance™ from Covair offers lease options specifically designed for sports facility projects.

LTA Loans and Grants

The LTA offers loans and capital grants to affiliated clubs for facility improvements that increase participation. Covered courts are a strong candidate because they demonstrably extend playing hours and attract new players. Application criteria and availability change, so check the current programme with your county LTA.

Sport England

Sport England’s funding programmes prioritise projects that increase physical activity and community participation. A covered court project that serves a diverse membership and opens access to under-represented groups is well aligned with their criteria.

Community Fundraising

Debentures, membership levies, crowdfunding, corporate sponsorship, and local fundraising can all contribute to the funding mix. Clubs with engaged communities often raise a meaningful portion of the project cost through these channels.

Building the Revenue Case

Your committee will need a credible financial model to justify the investment. Here’s how to build one:

Additional Court Hours

Calculate the additional playable hours a covered court generates. In most UK locations, this is 6–8 additional hours per day through the winter months (October–March), plus additional hours on days when rain would otherwise stop play in spring and autumn.

Court Hire Revenue

Multiply the additional hours by your court hire rate. Winter rates for covered courts typically command a premium over standard outdoor hire rates. The exact rate depends on your area and competition. Even at conservative utilisation (50–60% of available hours), the revenue is significant.

Coaching Revenue

Year-round coaching generates additional income through court hire (coaches booking courts) and coaching fees (if the club takes a percentage). Many clubs find that coaching revenue doubles once covered courts are available.

Membership Growth

Covered courts attract new members who want year-round play. A net gain of 20–50 members at £200–£500 per subscription adds £4,000–£25,000 in annual subscription income.

Typical Payback

Revenue depends on your location, pricing, utilisation, and the number of courts covered. Your supplier can help you model the specific return for your club.

Project Timeline

From the moment your committee decides to explore covering courts, here’s a realistic timeline:

Next Steps

• Book a site visit: We’ll visit your club, assess your courts, and discuss your options face-to-face.
• Visit an existing installation: We can arrange a visit to a tennis club with a Covair dome so your committee can see the quality and talk to the operator.
• Get indicative costs: We’ll provide budget estimates for your specific courts, with no obligation.
• Talk to the LTA: Contact your county LTA about funding support for your project.
• Start the committee conversation: Share this guide with your committee to build the case for covering your courts.

Covering your courts is one of the most impactful investments a tennis club can make. It transforms your facility from a fair-weather venue into a year-round destination — and the financial case is almost always compelling.