Overview
Lowestoft Town Tennis Club, based in the coastal town of Lowestoft, England, has recently undergone a significant upgrade to its sporting facilities. As part of this investment, the club expanded its offering to include additional pickleball courts while resurfacing its tennis courts.
To maximise playability and meet competitive standards, the club partnered with Kellwood Lighting to deliver a bespoke sports lighting solution. The project’s objective was clear: introduce lighting across four tennis courts and four pickleball courts, achieving CIBSE Class II standards for club/competitive play while addressing durability and aesthetic requirements specific to the site’s coastal environment.
Objectives and Challenges
The client faced several key challenges:
- Compliance with CIBSE Standards: To enable the hosting of high-level competitions, the lighting solution had to meet stringent illumination requirements.
- Durability in Coastal Conditions: The club’s proximity to the coast meant that all lighting columns and components needed to be marine-grade protected to withstand salt exposure and harsh weather.
- Aesthetic Requirements: The client requested columns finished in RAL6019 green, ensuring the installations complemented the club’s overall visual identity and surroundings.
- Design Requirements: A 6m column height was specified, and the installation was to meet Class I standards, balancing safety, performance, and efficiency.
Kellwood Lighting was tasked with developing a solution that addressed these functional, technical, and visual considerations while delivering high performance for both tennis and pickleball courts.
The work
Kellwood Lighting applied its expertise in sports lighting design, using advanced Dialux simulation software to model the courts, surrounding environment, and specific design targets. The goal was to achieve illumination levels of >500 Lux with a uniformity of >0.6, in line with CIBSE Class II standards, ensuring the venue could host competitions without compromise.
The final design incorporated a 10-column arrangement strategically positioned to minimise glare while delivering maximum coverage. Two distinct lighting solutions were deployed:
- Tennis Courts: Fitted with 24 Ayrton 4 Series luminaires (610W each) using IESNA Type 4S optics, optimised to provide excellent uniformity and minimise light spill.
- Pickleball Courts: Equipped with 4 McFarlane 4B Series luminaires (155W each) with IESNA Type 4M optics, delivering targeted illumination suitable for the smaller playing surface.
The design process involved close collaboration with the client to ensure the technical solution aligned seamlessly with the club’s operational and visual goals. All columns were supplied at 6m height, marine-grade treated for corrosion resistance, and powder-coated in RAL6019 green to meet the club’s aesthetic brief.
| Parameter | Average Lux (Eav) | Uniformity (U0) | Glare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | >500 lux | >0.6 | <50 |
| Design Level | 562 lux | 0.6 | <46 |
The results
By combining advanced design tools, marine-grade durability, and client-focused collaboration, Kellwood successfully helped Lowestoft Town Tennis Club elevate its facilities to competition-ready standards.
The proposed solution ensured compliance with CIBSE Class II standards, enabling the club to confidently hosting high-level competitions. The new system also enhanced everyday usability, extending playable hours and improving the overall player experience.
Beyond performance, the installation demonstrated Kellwood Lighting’s ability to balance technical precision with aesthetic sensitivity. The RAL6019 green columns not only provided resilience against coastal conditions but also blended naturally with the club’s landscaped environment.
≥64% forecast energy saving
≥70% forecast energy saving
