Dear Fellow Tennis Member
January 2012
UPDATED AIRDOME BOOKING RULES AND PROCEDURES
The new Airdome has now been operational for six weeks and during that time we have had
to make a number of changes to our booking rules and procedures. There have been several
reasons for this.
Firstly, the online booking system is a new area for tennis and it doesn’t give us the same
flexibility as our old manual booking system, so we have had to introduce work-around
procedures for situations we hadn’t considered – for example, a member wishing to book an
available court just after the start of the session.
Secondly, the Airdome security and key situation was not as we had expected it to be, and this
has presented some difficulties with locking up and key availability when there is nobody on
reception or in the bar.
And thirdly, there were some things that we just didn’t anticipate fully.
As a consequence we have had to send out several additions to the booking procedures and
rules – so apologies if you have felt that you were getting too many emails from us.
With this email are two documents that give the updated rules and procedures:1. The Rules for the 4 indoor courts (2 doubles and 1 singles in the Airdome and 1 doubles in
the Sportshall) – January 2012.
2. The booking procedure – January 2012.
These documents cover the way we hope to operate for the rest of this season (preferably
without any further changes). But I should emphasise that the all the rules and procedures are
just our first year mode of operation for the indoor courts. At the end of the Airdome season
in April we will be seeking your feedback so that we can make more significant changes to
make both the on line system and our procedures more member friendly. We know we
haven’t got everything right yet, so please bear with us and give us your feedback for next
season.
The updated rules and procedures now include:* booking a court after the start of a session
* changing courts (e.g. from singles to doubles) within the cancellation period
* correcting a booking error within the cancellation period
* topping up your account on line using the PAYPAL system
* turning the lights off at the end of a session
* light controls and keys for times when the bar/reception is closed
* key security
* dragging the courts and cleaning the lines
Playing on the courts
When you arrive at the Club you must check in at the bar so that the Club is aware who is on
the courts.
If you are using the Airdome courts you will be given a light key to turn the lights on for your
court (all the keys are the same). You are responsible for this key and you will have to sign for
the key in the “key book” and leave your Club Card as security. (If you don’t have your Club
Card with you, you could leave a driving licence or car keys instead). When you are given the
key you will be told if you need to switch the lights off at the end of your session or whether
you must leave them on for the next group. The reason for this is that the lights need about
15 minutes to cool down before they will come on again.
As you enter the Airdome there is a light control unit on the left. Open the flap and there are 4
key holes. Insert your key in the keyhole with your court number on it, turn it to the “on
position” and the lights will come on. Please don’t turn all the lights on as it is unnecessary
and a waste of electricity. At the end of your session, if you were asked to turn the lights off
please do so. If you were asked to leave the lights on, don’t turn off but just withdraw your
key leaving the switch in the on position and return the key to the bar – remember to sign the
book again and collect your Club Card or other security item.
If you are the last group in the Airdome the bar staff may give you a key to the revolving door
and ask you to lock up when you leave. If you haven’t locked the door before you might find
it useful to check how it works before you play. There is a keyhole near the top of one of the
4 doors and when you insert and turn the door key a bolt goes up into the frame above the
door. If you check with a finger you will be able to locate the bolt hole. Like all things, it is
easy when you have done it once and it saves the bar staff having to go down to lock up.
Please make sure all the lights are off before you lock up.
We are expecting to have a similar light key system for the Sportshall, but the control unit
hasn’t arrived yet. When it arrives it will be a single switch behind the curtain on the far end of
the wall to the right as you go onto the court. Until the light unit arrives please ask the bar
staff to turn the lights on for you. Please remember to turn the lights off after use (or ask the
bar staff to turn off) if nobody is following you onto the court.
Entry to the Sportshall will continue to be by keypad. The bar staff can tell you the code if you
don’t know what it is.
I know that many of our members have enjoyed the Airdome and now play there regularly.
For those of you who haven’t played in there yet, I can only say please try it, I’m sure you will
enjoy it. It is a fantastic new facility, and I hope you will make the most of it.
Kind regards
Stephan Israel
Tennis Committee Chairman