Premier Steven Marshall joined South Australian tennis legend Darren Cahill, today to launch construction of the Memorial Drive Centre Court redevelopment.
The Premier and Cahill, along with Tennis SA President Kent Thiele, CEO Steven Baldas and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard were present to turn the sod on the project that will enable Adelaide to host a new week-long ATP and WTA combined tennis tournament in January 2020.
The Memorial Drive redevelopment project will include:
- A new woven fibreglass membrane fabric roof covering the existing stands and centre courts
- Four refurbished ITF standard Plexicushion match courts
- New fencing and lighting
- Improved access between the centre and outside courts during tournaments.
“The $10 million investment from the State Liberal Government will transform the Memorial Drive Centre Courts into an all-weather international standard stadium,” Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing, Corey Wingard said
“The project will deliver an architecturally designed roof which complements the adjacent Adelaide Oval stands.
“The roof will also allow for the year-round training of the state’s tennis talent and for use by community groups who are able to access Memorial Drive.
“The facility will bring vibrancy and energy to the Riverbank Precinct as a multi-purpose space for a variety of concerts, sporting activities and community events,” he continued.
Tennis SA CEO Steven Baldas described the turning of the sod as an exciting day for South Australian tennis.
“The redevelopment of Memorial Drive changes the landscape of tennis in South Australia,” Mr Baldas said.
“We have a long tennis history in Adelaide and the upgrades to this facility will not only enable tennis to be played year-round, but also puts us in an event ready position for the new ATP and WTA event in January 2020.
“The upgrades complement our recently opened stage one project, providing state-of-the-art facilities across all three Grand Slam surfaces,” he continued.
Kennett Builders have begun construction, with completion expected in late 2019.
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