Melbourne Park will remain the home of the Australian Open for generations with a multi-million dollar transformation of the world class sporting precinct.
The redevelopment is in response to the growing popularity of the Australian Open and aims to establish Melbourne and Olympic Parks as an unbeatable sports and events precinct. It will place a strong emphasis on the comfort of patrons, with more open space and shade, increased seating capacity, better connections to public transport and the city.
The first sod was turned by government ministers and Australian tennis star Casey Dellacqua for the $363 million redevelopment of Melbourne Park.
“The Australian Open has always been the players’ favorite Grand Slam because it is so close to the city and everything is made so easy for us. This redevelopment will make it even better for the players and the spectators,” said Dellacqua.
“I was saying before to the Ministers (Merlino and Pallis) that Margaret Court Arena has always been my favorite court to play on, and I have had some great matches there. I can’t wait to see it with a retractable roof and hopefully have the chance to play on it.”
It is said that the redevelopment of the famous tennis facility was the largest state Government-funded sporting project in Victoria’s history.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to invest in projects such as the Melbourne Park redevelopment that generate thousands of jobs, stimulate the local economy and in this case, secure Grand Slam tennis for Victoria,” Minister Pallas said.
The state government says the revamp will create more than 600 construction jobs on and off site and around $1 billion in flow-on economic benefit to the building industry and ensure the tennis championship stays in Melbourne beyond 2016, preventing rival cities like Shanghai or Dubai from poaching the tournament, since Shanghai, Dubai, Madrid and Sydney have all previously expressed keen interest in hosting the tournament.
The $363 million redevelopment includes:
- A major upgrade to fully enclose Margaret Court Arena, including the installation of a retractable roof and additional seating to increase crowd capacity to 7,500
- A new Eastern Plaza, incorporating eight new indoor courts and 13 outdoor courts for elite training and general public use as well as change room facilities and a gymnasium
- Refurbishment work is also planned for Rod Laver and Hisense arenas, more parking and a new eastern plaza with 21 new courts.
- Additional parking and a footbridge linking Melbourne Park to the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
- Installation of a 4.5 megalitre water tank under the oval beside Rod Laver Arena, an extension of the arena’s western concourse, taxi rank improvements on Olympic Boulevard and landscaping works along Batman Avenue
Major Projects Victoria will work with Sport and Recreation Victoria, the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust and Tennis Australia to manage redevelopment.
”The Australian open would continue to grow with annual crowds of more than one million people forecast in the next 20 years. The project will benefit players and fans alike and secure Grand Slam tennis in Melbourne for years to come.” Minister Melino said.
Mr. Brumby added. “The world’s best players love coming to Melbourne and our significant investment in Melbourne Park will guarantee the Australian Open remains in Melbourne until at least 2036.”
Works will commence onsite following the 2010 Australian Open with stage one of the project, expected to be complete in time for the 2015 Australian Open.
