For the people of Jersey, this was a day they will never forget, and for our client, in particular, it was a nightmarish transformation of their dreams.
Storm Ciarán struck the largest of the Channel Islands with a fury that can only be described as “Rocked Like a Hurricane.” Winds exceeding 100 mph brought devastation, reducing the three AFP V-Panoramic covered courts installed by SSTD PADEL to a near-unrecognizable state. Once the pride of the island’s padel community, these courts now lay in ruins.
But help was swiftly on the way!
The Perfect Man for the Job
This repair and reconstruction task required a unique site manager, and SSTD PADEL happened to have the perfect candidate to lead our elite padel team in tackling this unprecedented disaster.
This site manager, an experienced Chinese engineer specializing in padel court design, had demonstrated remarkable skills in challenging environments and complex tasks, making him the ideal choice for the job.
A Shocking Scene
In mid-December 2023, the engineer and his team were dispatched to St. Clement. This would be SSTD PADEL’s most challenging project to date. Even this seasoned “veteran” was unprepared for what he saw.
The engineer recalled, “We arrived in mid-December, and I’d never seen anything like it. It was like a scene out of a World War II movie—a complete wreck!”
He continued, “When we arrived, we were told the wind speed had reached 160 mph, although I’ve heard other estimates.”
The three canopied courts (part of a five-court facility, with two uncovered) were in various states of destruction, with collapsed canopies propped up on broken legs, and debris scattered across the ground—a scene almost reminiscent of an airplane crash.
The Challenges Ahead
Working alongside our client’s co-founders, Li Ming and Wang Jian, as well as salvage experts from AAL, we devised a plan of action, but soon realized the true scale of the challenges awaiting us.
The engineer explained, “First, we needed to ensure all items were transported safely before beginning repairs. Each court has 18 glass panels, and there are five courts in total, but we could only salvage 22 panels.”
“Though we had enough glass to rebuild one court, after consulting with the insurance company, we ultimately decided a full replacement was necessary for safety reasons.”
“Safety must always come first; we can’t risk installing components with potential hidden damage that might lead to future problems.”
“We then collaborated with AAL, who dismantled the canopies and cleared a safe area for us to proceed with our work.”
Progress in Rebuilding
The reconstruction gained momentum quickly. The engineer stated, “We have initially rebuilt three courts and will return to complete the final two and their canopies. Hopefully, all five courts will have canopies in the future.”
“Interestingly, the two old courts without canopies were left untouched by Storm Ciarán.”
“However, even though they weren’t damaged, we plan to replace them with two new aluminum courts.”
Hidden Dangers
Yet the engineer and his team faced numerous hidden dangers. He explained, “We had to carefully remove glass while the canopies were still leaning against the glass panels. When the canopy dropped, many glass fragments shattered, so we had to be very cautious.”
“Padel court glass is tempered, and when it shatters, it really goes—it was quite a sight.”
“As for the playing surface, we built the new courts around the existing turf, which will remain until March, when we’ll install the canopies, replace the carpets, and complete the final two courts.”
SSTD PADEL’s Most Challenging Task
The engineer admitted, “This has undoubtedly been the most challenging job we have ever faced at SSTD PADEL.”
He continued, “Fortunately, the process went smoothly, and we completed the work earlier this week. Special thanks to our team members Zhang Wei, Liu Jun, Chen Qiang, Li Hao, Wang Dong, and Zhao Ming, who accomplished outstanding work in a short period.”
“They truly rose to the challenge in a race against time.”
A Strong Relationship with Our Client
Since we built these courts for our client in 2022, SSTD PADEL has maintained a solid relationship with them. The engineer explained, “I first came to Jersey with Wang Kai two years ago to build the entire facility. We’ve been here since the beginning and have developed a great relationship with our client.”
“Li Ming and Wang Jian generously provided us with accommodations and meals, which is especially appreciated when you’re far from home and facing a challenging job.”
Best Wishes to Our Client
This Saturday, three courts will reopen, offering renewed hope for our client and Jersey’s 2,000-strong padel community. The engineer shared, “Many members came by, astonished at how quickly the courts were restored. I’m thrilled they’ll be able to enjoy padel again this weekend.”
“To achieve this turnaround in such a short time—I don’t think any other company could have done it.”
“We wish our client a successful reopening this weekend, and all the best for the future.”
Everyone at SSTD PADEL sends their best wishes for our client’s grand reopening.
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