Temporary structure experts Neptunus swung back into action for the Lawn Tennis Association’s cinch Championship at Queen’s Club this summer, creating a fantastic new socially distanced experience for fans.
The championships, one of the key fixtures of the LTA’s summer grass court season, were cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic, which meant delaying the unveiling of a new state-of-the-art flagship hospitality structure that Neptunus had been commissioned to design exclusively for the event.
Restrictions on attendance numbers and social distancing regulations at this year’s championship presented organisers with the challenge of finding additional space for officials, journalists and broadcasters who would normally be accommodated in the clubhouse at Queen’s.
Ben Keast, Managing Director of Neptunus, said:
We had been awarded a five-year contract in 2019 by the LTA to create a new-look double-deck pavilion that was due to make its debut last year. This was originally planned for VIP hospitality with public areas for dining and refreshments. However, due to the challenges thrown up by the pandemic, working closely with the LTA, we reconfigured the pavilion to incorporate office-style facilities for officials and a special sound proofed area for journalists and broadcasters – demonstrating the immense flexibility of our temporary structure technology.”
The South Pavilion was created using a two-storey Evolution II structure, covering an area of 3,600 square metres. With the look and feel of a permanent building, it included internal and external mezzanines and a 60-metre-long wooden decked roof-top garden with panoramic views across the tennis courts.
The facility included a café restaurant, merchandising booths and an open-air bar area along with essential services such as kitchens and a first aid room. Neptunus was responsible for the internal fit-out, climate control, lifts, floor coverings and luxury toilets within the structure.
Ben Keast added:
The Evolution has become the structure of choice for major international conferences and summits for prestigious organisations including the United Nations and NATO. The cinch Championship has given us the opportunity to showcase this dynamic product at one of the leading tennis tournaments, and to the wider sporting world.”
If coronavirus restrictions are fully lifted for 2022 championship, the South Pavilion is likely to revert back to an exclusively dedicated hospitality facility.
Chris Pollard, the LTA’s Director of Major Events, said:
The solutions provided by Neptunus enabled us to reconfigure the site efficiently and effectively, deliver the best hospitality experience possible within a safe environment, and accommodate the media in an area that many journalists would like to see us use again. This is testament to the quality of service offered by Neptunus, and the success of our collaboration. We look forward to the remaining years of our partnership, and an even better experience for those attending the cinch Championships as the world continues to open up.”
With cassette flooring systems, Neptunus’ flexible and spacious structures provide ideal solutions for short-term or longer-term rental requirements. For more information visit www.neptunus.co.uk