This week the Environment and Community Committee approved a grant of $5.5 million towards the redevelopment of the ASB Tennis Arena.
The ASB Tennis Arena is the host venue of the annual ASB Classic, part of the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) and ATP Tour (Association of Tennis Professionals (men’s)) international events; tournaments that result in economic benefit of over $11.95 million per year to Auckland and reach a television audience of 24.5 million.
The seating capacity of the arena no longer meets the requirements to secure these tournaments, and the redevelopment will increase seating numbers to 3500 and improve the quality of seating and customer experience.
“International competition to host tournaments is fierce and Auckland is currently fending off challenges from other cities for hosting right," says Chair of the Committee Penny Hulse.
“The redevelopment of the arena is significant, not only because it is the only New Zealand venue for world tour events, but it is also used for community tennis.
“This funding is an important contribution to the future of the facility, tennis tournaments and growth of tennis in Auckland," says Ms Hulse.
“Tennis Auckland are obviously very happy with Auckland Councils decision to approve funding for the redevelopment of the ASB Tennis Arena at Stanley Street with $3 million confirmed for Stage 1A (redevelopment of the Yock Stand) and $2.5 million for Stage 1B (redevelopment of the Robinson Stand)” says Marcus Reynolds, Chief Executive of Tennis Auckland.
“We are committed to delivering our vision of making tennis a part of every Aucklander’s life, a goal which is supported directly by revenue derived from the delivery of the ASB Classic, held annually at the ASB Tennis Arena. The redevelopment of the ASB Arena helps us meet our license obligations to both WTA and ATP and will allow Tennis Auckland to continue to deliver community and school-based programmes throughout the Auckland region and supervise the upkeep of public facilities.”
Tennis Auckland anticipates starting construction of the first Stage (redevelopment of the Yock Stand) in April 2019, and completion in October 2019.
