Autumn closure

Preparing for winter – crucial for next spring

A good finish = an easier spring

A proper autumn shut‑down saves a lot of work next spring. The goal is a level, well‑compacted court that can breathe and tolerate frost without major damage.

⚠️ Common mistake: “Giving up” when the season is almost over. The last weeks before closing are critical – holes and uneven areas that are not fixed now will get worse over winter.

🍁 September – early October Maintenance while play is still ongoing

Main focus: Keep standards high until the very last day

Increase focus on closing holes and circular dragging

Fill all visible depressions and worn areas with 0–2 mm / 0–3 mm as needed

Keep watering going as long as it is dry – a dry autumn gives more dust and material movement

💡 Why this matters: Wear that develops in September becomes much worse if it is not fixed before winter. Frost and moisture amplify any unevenness.

🍂 Mid / late October Weeks 42–44

Final preparations before closing

Final levelling: Drag thoroughly, fill remaining holes, spread any last surface material

Final roll: Light, even compaction over the whole court to lock in the geometry

Check and adjust fall one last time – water must run towards the sides

Remove loose debris: Leaves, branches and organic material (especially at the edges)

                Expert rule: The final rolling is critical. It should compact the surface evenly, but not excessively. The goal is a stable, breathing court – not a “concrete slab”.
            

🍂 Extra tip for Konglungen:

Document court condition with photos before winter (use the QR reporting tool to log it)
Arrange a short work party in October for the final roll and clean‑up – make it social!
Next spring is much easier if autumn is finished neatly and evenly

Winter – what to do and what not to do

❌ Do not:

Use full winter covers as a standard solution in Norway – they trap moisture and can cause ice and mould
Walk on the court when there is frost/frozen ground – it damages the structure
Leave organic material on the court over winter

✅ Do:

Let the court breathe naturally – Norwegian climate is best handled without full covers
Check drainage a couple of times during winter (during thaws)
Remove large piles of snow/ice if they accumulate in one spot

🇳🇴 Norwegian tip: Full winter covering with tarps is not standard; it can trap moisture. Let the court breathe, but finish autumn with proper geometry. This suits the Norwegian freeze–thaw climate.

Autumn closure checklist

✓ All holes and depressions filled and compacted
✓ Final rolling completed evenly over the entire court
✓ Crossfall checked and adjusted if necessary
✓ All organic material (leaves, branches) removed
✓ Court edges and drainage points cleaned
✓ Photos taken for documentation
✓ Lines, net and posts checked/adjusted/repaired

A court that is closed properly in October will be quicker and easier to open in May.

            For the board: Consider allocating a small budget for an “autumn work party” with pizza/coffee. Good atmosphere + shared effort = better results and a stronger club culture.
        

← Back to overview

konglungen
tennisklubb

menu