The Memorial Drive Tennis Centre is swarming with tradies as work to transform the venue into a world-class sporting precinct continues at full speed.
The Marshall Liberal Government invested $44 million into Stage Two of the major redevelopment which commenced in March 2021 and is on track to be event ready for the Adelaide International in January 2022.
The project has created 85 full-time jobs and 21 new apprenticeships and employed a minimum of 350 people in a variety of roles.
Premier Steven Marshall said investing in this job-creating project will ensure South Australia can attract and host world-class sporting events for years to come.
"There are more South Australians employed now than ever before and tennis events over the next decade are going to drive even more jobs and attract thousands of people to our great state which in turn will boost our economy," Premier Marshall said.
"These events will also inspire the next generation of South Australian tennis enthusiasts to play and train right here at home – and we couldn't be more excited."
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard, said the project was coming along nicely – on time and on budget.
"Stage Two will create a world-class venue capable of hosting not just tennis but a range of sporting and entertainment events," Minister Wingard said.
"The project includes two new spectator stands to the east and north of centre court with new seating with great sightlines, food and beverage facilities and enhanced amenity.
"South Australia has a proud history of tennis players on the international stage and fittingly, today marks the 20th anniversary of Lleyton Hewitt claiming his first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.
"The redevelopment of Memorial Drive will allow for our up-and-coming juniors to train year-round and hopefully go on to emulate Lleyton Hewitt's success."
To date, Kennett Builders has carefully demolished the old north stand and upgraded the inground infrastructure and services which will accommodate increased capacity for future events.
Concrete has been poured for the ground and first floors, with the final concrete pour for the second floor to take place in the next week.
More than 4,600 cubic metres of reinforced concrete has been installed and 366 tonnes of steel will be used on site over the coming months.
The installation of more than 250 precast concrete panels, totaling 1,355 tonnes, will provide seating capacity up to 6,000.
Work has also commenced on the sunken show court, with structural steelwork scheduled for delivery in the next two weeks.
Works are also being undertaken to install an additional fabric roof over the existing sunken show court; the structure comprising of 95 tonnes of steel.
The $44 million project includes:
- The Northern and Eastern Facilities linked by a concourse level, with enhanced patron amenities, food and beverage facilities
- Northern Facility to include a Media and Sports Technology Centre, with broadcast facilities, media lounge and space for high performance sports research and development
- Eastern Facility incorporating high performance training facilities, premium multipurpose event and function spaces
- Northern and Eastern Facilities fully accessible to all levels
- Addition of rigging points on the roof and feature lighting
The Stage Two redevelopment is expected to be event ready for the Adelaide International in January 2022, with project completion expected in mid-2022.
