After months of transformation and community driven effort, Thorncliffe Tennis Club, a beloved grassroots tennis club in North Sheffield, has officially reopened its doors, and one major upgrade is truly lighting the way forward. Lumosa is proud to have partnered with the club to deliver a complete retrofit of their outdated floodlights, bringing state-of-the-art LED lighting to all three outdoor courts and helping to revive tennis in one of Sheffield’s most under-served areas.
A Club Reborn
With over 70 years of heritage, Thorncliffe Tennis Club has long served as a hub for affordable, accessible tennis in a part of Sheffield with few sporting alternatives. But years of wear and limited resources left the club’s courts, clubhouse, and lighting in critical condition, threatening its very existence.
A successful crowdfundraising campaign supported by local communities, businesses, and Sport England, gave the club the momentum to begin a full renovation, culminating in a game-changing LED lighting retrofit, expertly designed and installed by Lumosa.
Bright Courts, Bright Future
Before Lumosa’s intervention, Thorncliffe’s courts were lit by aging 2kW metal halide fittings that delivered poor illumination, limited visibility, and high energy costs. Evening play was virtually impossible, limiting the club’s potential and excluding many would-be players.
Now, with Lumosa’s CS860PRO Wide floodlights, the club enjoys:
- Enhanced visibility & uniformity – High-performance lighting across all three courts.
- Reduced energy consumption – Cutting operational costs while lowering the club’s carbon footprint.
- Light spill control – Precise channeling of light exactly where it’s needed, reducing glare and pollution.
- Extended playing hours – Supporting year-round evening sessions, matches, and events, boosting the club’s participation in the Sheffield and District League
“I am so pleased with these,” said Karen, referring to the lighting upgrade. “The transformation has been incredible, and we can’t wait for more players to come and enjoy the new experience.”
Smart Solutions for a Unique Challenge
The retrofit wasn’t without its complexities. Thorncliffe’s existing lighting infrastructure included four 12-metre masts, originally installed over 30 years ago for a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA). Positioned directly behind courts 1 and 3, not in the traditional LTA-approved corner configuration, these masts presented a challenge for standard lighting design.
Lumosa’s design team conducted a full site assessment and identified a cost-effective solution that required no additional bracketry or structural changes. The flexible 8-module design of the CS860PRO Wide floodlight allowed light to be precisely directed where needed, ensuring even coverage and avoiding wasted installation costs.
A Community Effort Powered by Innovation
The Thorncliffe project exemplifies what’s possible when community passion meets smart technology. Alongside SteelPhalt and SC Sports Surfaces, Lumosa was proud to contribute to this grassroots success story. The lighting upgrade not only improves match quality and safety, it empowers the club to grow, host tournaments, and engage new generations of players.
By delivering modern, efficient infrastructure that’s built to last, Lumosa is helping local clubs like Thorncliffe unlock new potential, reduce environmental impact, and secure their futures.
