Regeneration of the Clubhouse
The only Old College asset which cries out for change is the Clubhouse. Let’s do it! Here’s how.
Our current Clubhouse has been approaching the end of its usable life for many years. It was also built in 1984 for a smaller club with fewer teams and a less active junior and adult tennis programme. It is only thanks to the diligence and expertise of our facilities team (John Barton and Hamid Irshad) that its ageing infrastructure keeps going and we are all very aware that the bar and social scene is not what members want it to be.
In regenerating the Clubhouse our aim is to have a modern space that meets the functional needs of members and coaches but is, above all, a welcoming, inclusive and comfortable space that members will enjoy for many decades to come. The planned upgrades will include:
- Building a changing block that will replace an old and dilapidated garage to provide new, accessible washrooms and accommodation for coaches and tennis equipment,
- Refurbishing the existing 1986 Clubhouse to provide an enlarged and improved clubroom inside the unchanged volume of the existing building,
- Relandscaping the front of the clubhouse to improve access for all visitors and members including wheelchair users.
Members’ Requirements
How we got here: Since initial discussions in 2024 four options were identified and assessed:
1. New clubhouse: Two story option would create dark ground floor, expensive & unlikely to get through planning permission. New bungalow provides no extra space, poor value for money and may not meet planner’s sustainability expectations.
2. Extensions/regeneration extension in a phased approach. Best use of available space, changing rooms and would meet LTA expectations for the long term.
3. Refurbishment without extension would improve look & feel of club quickly but changing room layout unaltered. As refurbishment would trigger the requirement to meet LTA new expectations changing rooms would be extended inwards and reduce size of public area.
4. Redecoration would not address issues with ageing plumbing and electrics.
Option 2 was preferred and a pre-planning application made to Southwark Council was favourable. Therefore, in late 2024:
Established a Project Steering Committee (PSG) to provide independent, specialist and general oversight of the project. They will review the plans from a technical, costing and financial perspective and advise the Club Committee and members on their conclusion and on progress. The PSG is chaired by Charlotte Ireson. Other members are Hande Reardon, Jamie Acheson and from the Club Committee, Caroline Beck, Bob Henderson and Andrew Speller.
Appointed BSA as architects after a competitive tender on the basis of competitive pricing, best position to complete project & past work for the Club and others. BSA are currently helping with the costing and will coordinate the construction tender process and everyday project management.
In early 2025 the Committee and PSG reported back to members and our plans were confirmed (see that presentation here). After further consultation with members the final design was given planning permission in December 2025. 8 potential building contractors were identified.
Counting the Cost
Detailed construction cost estimates are being reviewed and tested by the PSG. In addition, provisions for fees and contingencies are being made. To improve cost efficiencies it is now intended to complete the main construction phase over five months and not in the phases. This means we will have a regenerated clubhouse sooner. Subject to fundraising (see below), we plan to go to tender after April.
A 3D model of the new clubhouse was available to view at the AGM and will be available at future Club events.
Funding
We also know that we don’t have all the money in the bank. As a Club run and funded by its members, donations and/or a levy are the most practical solution to raise funds for the new Clubhouse if we’re going to finally proceed this year.
Whilst the Club is starting from a strong financial position with circa £397K in the bank, latest indications are that before construction we need to raise £300K this year. To complete the project further fundraising may be needed in 2027. To bridge this gap we have been exploring the availability of grants and loans. Indications are that the LTA will not support a clubhouse regeneration and that Sports England support may be conditional and limited. Other options are being investigated.
Only after other options are explored would we determine what any ‘Regeneration Levy’ would need to be. This levy will not apply to juniors and the over 80s. At the same time we would propose to increase the joining fee by a commensurate amount.
Lease Extension
We are now in active discussion with our landlord, Dulwich Picture Gallery, about extending our lease and obtaining a licence from them for the works. Bob Henderson is leading and Michael Chudzynski and Jamie Achieson advising on those discussions.
Our Plan for 2026/27
In April, the PSG and our architects, BSA (Bernard Stilwell) will provide members with a full update on the Clubhouse Regeneration including cost estimates and fundraising plans. Subject to member feedback, we will then go to tender and in June/July ask you to formally approve the costs and the proposed levy and joining fees at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
Comments and Queries
If you have any comments or queries then please don’t hesitate to email them to a member of the PSG. Please note that it may only be possible to answer some queries in April.