The Linda Estes Tennis Complex features 13 courts, with seven lighted outdoor courts for night play and two indoor tennis domes: the Randy Briggs Dome and the First State Bank Dome, which feature six courts for indoor play. There is a connecting clubhouse to the facility that houses coaches offices, locker rooms and a player’s lounge. The Estes Tennis Complex has been the site of numerous events, including the Mountain West Conference Championships, NCAA First & Second Rounds and the NCAA Team and Individual Finals.

The University of New Mexico is known for wonderful athletic facilities and maintaining that reputation requires renovations and improvements from time to time. One of the initiatives included improving the lighting in both indoor tennis domes by implementing a proven, energy-efficient LED Lighting System that would significantly increase light levels and also deliver better quality light across the playing area. The University decided to implement the Sports Interiors LED Lighting System because of our experience working with collegiate indoor tennis facilities and also that we’d help ensure an quick implementation.

Below are photos from before and after the LED Lighting implementation

Project Details

• Pre-project site walk-through was completed by ownership of Sports Interiors to better understand the space, the needs of the project, any limitations or challenges we would encounter, and meet with the key stakeholders to address preliminary questions

• Scheduled pre-work call with key stakeholders to discuss project start date, access to building, delivery of material, acquisition of permit, project schedule, and general scope items. Master plan was put together for project start

• Engaged with a local electrician to assist with the project and held separate talks with their team to discuss strategy and steps to be taken for the installation. Sports Interiors sent a team of 3 to be on-site to offer support, assistance on the installation, and to manage the removal of the existing lighting system

• University of New Mexico had strict COVID safey protocol - requiring masks while on-site at all times. Sports Interiors has now completed multiple projects during the COVID pandemic and have experience working in unique circumstances while not delaying project progression

• First project SI has completed in an air structure. We used existing light fixture locations and installed our light bars indirectly utilizing a specialty crafted bracket system to support the weight of the light fixtures

• When driving lifts into and out of the domes we needed to coordinate efficient transportation because by opening access points the bubbles would lose air, and pressure, and there would be a risk that the bubbles may collapse. After careful planning and coordination we were able to successfully move into and out of the spaces with no structural issues or damage

• Light levels increased dramatically and the light variance across the courts was significantly reduced creating a more even distribution of light across the playing surface

• Project was completed in 5 days, allowing the facility to re-convene their regular schedule with little disruption to their operation

Whether you are planning to renovate an existing indoor sports facility or building brand new, we’d love to share our experiences and best practices from the hundreds of projects we’ve been lucky to be a part of. Click the button below to reach out.