Throwback to Wimbledon: Dawson WAM’S No. 2 Court Redevelopment

As another Wimbledon Championship gets underway, we’re looking back at one of our own memorable projects from 19 years ago.

Back in 2007, DAWSON WAM was proud to play a part in the redevelopment of Wimbledon No. 2 Court, installing a 165m-long AZ17 sheet piled retaining wall for main contractor Galliford Try as part of the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s ongoing improvements. The refurbished court reopened for the 2009 Championships, providing enhanced stadium seating for 4,000 spectators.

To minimise disruption at one of the world’s most prestigious sporting venues, we adopted what was, at the time, one of the most advanced sheet piling techniques available in the UK. Using one of our ABI multifunction leader rigs, we carried out pre-augering before installing the sheet piles with a silent and vibrationless Hydro Press. This innovative approach allowed both operations to be completed using the same machine, significantly reducing noise and vibration while efficiently installing the approximately 11m-long AZ17 sheet piles into the underlying London Clay. The 165m retaining wall was completed over a four-week programme.

DAWSON-WAM now carries six of these upgraded ABI TM22 leader rigs, providing the benefits of the latest multi-functional techniques to our clients.