Court Barrier Solutions

Currently in London, we have three potential polo courts (Herne Hill, Petchey Academy, Hackney Downs Studios) which all need barriers to make them read to play on. We are looking for a permanent barrier solution that can be stored at Herne Hill/Hackney Downs Arches that is affordable and re-useable. I am sure that there are people round the UK who have looked into similar things.

Please share any findings you have had, any ideas you might have, any contacts you know here...

It's about time we stopped wasting money on boards for every tournament and found a solution that benefited everyone!

I've sent off for a couple of quotes but still waiting to hear back...

Cheers Joe. For wood or more permanent solutions?

HDPE and Aluminium, like Karlsruhe. Weather proof, no splinters, etc...

Cheers Joe. For wood or more permanent solutions?

Hockey style ice rink enclosures, haven't heard back tho'...

HDPE and Aluminium, like Karlsruhe. Weather proof, no splinters, etc...

+1

I don't think there is anything out there we can buy otp perfect for our needs, so we would have to source the materials (not hard) and find someone to fabricate it (a little harder.)
However, a more permanent solution like this is going to take some serious funding. Like at least 20k.

If London managed to make the investment I'm sure other scenes would pay to hire it, making it slightly more feasible economically.

Totally, and it would stop everybody wasting 2-3k on wooden boards that are probably just going to get trashed after use.

Obviously, us enviromentally friendly London folk like to keep our leftovers in a nice damp basement and then fob them off donate them to a city hosting the UK Champs, 2 years later.

Agreed that the UK could use a set or 2 of courts. Storage and transport will be issues. Tournament organisers could then rent the courts. How to raise funds?

We used these courts for a demo once (ally structure, clear plastic sides), they were OK. The contact is Matt, maybe he knows where they were made or wants to sell

http://www.baseline-promotions.co.uk/temporary-roller-rink-hire

matt@sporting-opportunities.com

Nice one H, just ok, or worth the investment?

sent some emails to peps who make barriers waiting on quotes

ha thats funny I was talking to Matt while atsushi posted, he's getting back to me next week.

Awesome, thanks guys. I sent out emails to all scenes with existing hardcourt specific courts to find out the specs.

Storage in London won't be a problem.

Raising funds on this will be interesting.

With the HH courts was there any budget left for barriers or was that not included?

No budget. We're talking about private sponsors or publicly fundraising. Fundraising would really not be hard if everyone made an effort.

It seems several cities took the option of sheet metal on top of wooden kickboards as it was cheaper than high quality wood.

Wood will warp over time even if it's stored correctly, but if money is an issue then it might be the only option

Yep.

It's gotta be Karlsruhe style if we're going to do it properly.

Aluminium frame with HDPE cladding.

Non-ferrous means no rust and HDPE won't degrade or warp.

We will have to figure out a system to connect and unconnect several panels quickly but with enough strength to free stand.

Yeah that shouldn't be a problem.

$$ is the problem

Better get fundraising then!

#cream

Remember anyone can donate to London Bike Polo any time they want.

How about getting companies to sponsor it. They could do it per section and get their logo on it. The more they buy the better. I'm thinking Chunk, Urban Outfitters, Carhartt, 14, Schwalbe etc etc.

Work out how many panels there would be and that's how many you have to 'sell'. If its being used for multiple tournaments in multiple locations it seems like it would be a no brainer.

How about getting companies to sponsor it. They could do it per section and get their logo on it. The more they buy the better. I'm thinking Chunk, Urban Outfitters, Carhartt, 14, Schwalbe etc etc.

Work out how many panels there would be and that's how many you have to 'sell'. If its being used for multiple tournaments in multiple locations it seems like it would be a no brainer.

The man talks sense.

Yeah that idea has been around for a while and emails have been sent to a couple of brands to gauge interest. There are lots of complications with multiple brands though.

At the minute, finding a good solution and getting quotes is what I need help with.