[COM] Memorial Drive upgrade

[ChillyPhilly]

Can we change the name of this thread to something a bit more specific?

[ml69]

Inspired by Stryker, I went for a good look during my lunch break:



















Thought these last two photos show how well the roof compliments Adelaide Oval.






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Absolutely terrific photos.

It complements Adelaide Oval because it’s the same architecture firm who designed both - Cox Architecture.

[Stryker]

The new roof is taking shape nicely.









Just a random one I’ve thrown in showing the new permanent light towers for the Cricket nets out the back. Sends a good message that D/N Tests are here to stay.

[SRJ]

I actually think the upgrade looks great. I am excited for this venue. Both for tennis and concerts etc.

[claybro]

I actually think the upgrade looks great. I am excited for this venue. Both for tennis and concerts etc.

While the exterior may look great, as far as viewing tennis on centre court, the ends of the square on stands are virtually useless. Not only will at least one end be a long way from the Court in use, sitting to one side and craning your neck to watch the action will not be comfortable, or practical. This is at best a band aid solution, and given the location, it deserved a lot better.

[Patrick_27]

I actually think the upgrade looks great. I am excited for this venue. Both for tennis and concerts etc.

While the exterior may look great, as far as viewing tennis on centre court, the ends of the square on stands are virtually useless. Not only will at least one end be a long way from the Court in use, sitting to one side and craning your neck to watch the action will not be comfortable, or practical. This is at best a band aid solution, and given the location, it deserved a lot better.

Agree with this. I know it's been said by some that this new cover can be reused elsewhere, but I really can't see where else something of this size could be used? I think we're all kidding ourselves if we think this is the beginning of a greater plan for the Drive, I suspect the state government are doing this to comply with the very minimum required to host an international comp. At best we might see them bung on a couple of extra stands in the future or maybe add another tier onto the northern stand but otherwise I think we're stuck with this current arrangement at-least until we see another change of government. It's a real shame because quite frankly it doesn't make sense that we have multiple venues operating seasonally every year that could simply be incorporated into one venue that's always in use. It worked with AFL coming to Adelaide Oval, and there's no reason they shouldn't be striving to do the same here.

[claybro]

If heritage of the Southern Stand was the concern, then surely the western end seating sections could have been catelivered off of the main structure to meet a new western stand. While possibly losing a court at the western end, it would have created a horseshoe shaped stadium similar to Kooyong in Melbourne, but still under the new roof, It would have then doubled as a mid sized concert venue, also maybe netball and basket ball?

[Pikey]

This roof can and will be repurposed elsewhere in the greater Memorial Drive redevelopment. I can’t remember where I saw it but this roof can be use to create a second smaller open air Centre court style on the current site of the grass courts. The master plan shows the structure along with the main “feature” building. At least there is a future plan that’s been scoped!

[SRJ]

All your points are valid. I just think we should embrace this upgrade and enjoy having proper Tennis back in our fair City. The upgrade is only half finished. Can't we at least judge it once it is finished and the tournament has been played out. Just because it is not the upgrade we first wished for doesn't mean it is bad.

[Patrick_27]

All your points are valid. I just think we should embrace this upgrade and enjoy having proper Tennis back in our fair City. The upgrade is only half finished. Can't we at least judge it once it is finished and the tournament has been played out. Just because it is not the upgrade we first wished for doesn't mean it is bad.

Yeah granted. Just raising my concerns about the lack of vision within the current government, I fear that whilst there are plans for this whole area, these plans will fall into the 'too hard' and 'not necessary' basket.

[Llessur2002]

All your points are valid. I just think we should embrace this upgrade and enjoy having proper Tennis back in our fair City. The upgrade is only half finished. Can't we at least judge it once it is finished and the tournament has been played out. Just because it is not the upgrade we first wished for doesn't mean it is bad.

Yeah granted. Just raising my concerns about the lack of vision within the current government, I fear that whilst there are plans for this whole area, these plans will fall into the 'too hard' and 'not necessary' basket.

You're forgetting the Libs' trusty "cost blowout" basket.

[ChillyPhilly]

I'm not the biggest fan of this project in a long-term context, but it has its merits.

Once complete, this will complement Adelaide Oval nicely.

[Llessur2002]

It's relatively cheap. It improves the facilities and precinct. We gain an international tournament.

Not a bad short-term investment but hopefully there will be some decent long-term plans mooted for the precinct at some point in the next 10 years.

[Ho Really]

I haven’t seen the masterplan so have no idea where the roof can be reused, however if you use your imagination what’s already been done can easily be part of a redeveloped stadium. Said it before, they can dig one or two levels down, add an underground carpark if they want or just have a sunken centre court encircled by seats up to the roof. It can be done and it might even look like the concept image released before last year’s state election.

[Stryker]

I haven’t seen the masterplan so have no idea where the roof can be reused, however if you use your imagination what’s already been done can easily be part of a redeveloped stadium. Said it before, they can dig one or two levels down, add an underground carpark if they want or just have a sunken centre court encircled by seats up to the roof. It can be done and it might even look like the concept image released before last year’s state election.

Or they could unbolt this giant Meccano like set and reassemble it out the back over 3 or 4 of the show courts which is the likely scenario if it’s reused.


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