THE CHALLENGE
The U.S. Military Academy’s growing tennis program required a collegiate tennis center on its campus at West Point. The multi-purpose facility was also to be used for the Academy’s summer camp programs and by the local community. The site, located on the side of a mountain, required extensive blasting to carve the facility into the mountain. Preservation of the natural beauty of the site was imperative, and the facility had to be completed in a six-month timeframe. The site was also under heightened security and required security clearance for site access.
THE SOLUTION
ICA designed and built a state-of-the-art seven-court collegiate tennis facility. Due to the size of the structure, the site was excavated to set the building in the existing natural profile of the area to minimize impact on the views across the campus. Split-face masonry and glass were selected for the entry area, which was combined with a cost-effective pre-engineered structure to enclose the playing area. Successful blasting allowed the facility to be nestled into the mountainside, resulting in a beautiful surrounding with landscaping at the entry and in the courtyard to further enhance the natural setting. Design/build construction services facilitated meeting fast-track deadlines as well as substantial cost savings for the project. A viewing mezzanine spans the baseline of all courts, affording spectators views of all matches in play.
THE RESULT
A national award winning "Court of the Year" facility was built for the Academy. The Army Men’s and Women’s tennis teams now have an indoor facility in which to play, practice and compete. Lichtenburg Tennis Center hosts a number of collegiate-level competitive matches, and the Army Tennis banners adorning the walls further enhances team spirit. The project was completed in 1999, ahead of schedule and under budget. The courtyard accommodates alumni events, and a 120-stall parking lot accommodates players, competitors, spectators and visitors. According to the tennis coach, the new facility has also helped recruiting efforts.
The project was completed in 1999 ahead of schedule and under budget. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rated ICA’s performance on this project as “Outstanding”. ICA’s "quality control on the project was excellent resulting in a very high quality facility."
Project Data
- $3.6 million
- 4-acre site
- 7 side-by-side tennis courts
- 55,000 total square feet
- Bleacher viewing area
- Trophy room
- Locker rooms
- Coach’s office
- Team room
- Lobby
- Sports lighting system with highly reflective ceiling resulting in 125 foot candles of indirect light over playing surface
- Flooring – VCT, DecoTurf court surface
- Exterior walls – split-face masonry, metal panels
- Interior walls – CMU
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