In preparation for hosting Bermuda’s Davis Cup World Group II fixture against Mexico in September, structural defects are being fixed at WER Joell Tennis Stadium.

Bermuda are gearing up to play Davis Cup on home turf for the first time in nearly 30 years when they clash with ninth-seeds Mexico from September 18 to 20. With the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association having settled for the hardcourt surface as the venue, responsible authorities are ensuring that the facility will be ready.

Responding to questions from The Royal Gazette on work being conducted at the stadium, the sports minister’s office indicated that the upgrades were on course.

“The Government is working collaboratively across ministries to ensure the WER Joell Tennis Stadium is ready to host the Davis Cup in September,” a spokeswoman said.

“Remedial works are being undertaken throughout the facility to address identified maintenance items, while the Ministry of Public Works and Environment continues work to fortify the grandstands. This work remains on schedule for completion ahead of the tournament.

“The International Tennis Federation has been provided with the stadium’s current specifications.

“Any additional facilities or temporary infrastructure required to meet tournament operational requirements will be provided by the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association.”

In 2024, the stadium was shut for a week to address safety concerns at the site. This came after an initial assessment, after which engineers decided to close the Pembroke sports stadium so that further investigation and building work can be carried out.

Michael Wolfe, the BLTA president, stated that the ITF appears happy with the details provided by the local association. This means that they will not be carrying out an inspection of the stadium in the meantime.

“The ITF has deferred a visit based on the information that we’ve been able to give them and also because we’ve had ITF events at that facility before,” Wolfe said.

“The surfaces don’t need to be certified by the ITF. We just need to make sure that they are clean and playable in terms of no algae on the courts or things like that there.

“We just have to make sure it’s a clean surface, so the ideal thing is to have them repainted.”