[COM] Memorial Drive upgrade

[ml69]

I think the Memorial Drive site could be used to build a new 25000-30000 seat rectangular stadium to maximise use and legacy of the Riverbank precinct, bringing higher capacity crowds closer to the city centre. To allow for more space and vibrancy, parts of Montefiore Rd and maybe War Memorial Drive could be tunnelled before building the rectangular stadium.

Tennis could relocate to the existing Keswick Army Barracks site, opposite the Showgrounds. The new tennis centre can incorporate a main show court, being an 8000 seat retractable roof indoor arena could be Adelaide's secondary indoor arena suitable for tennis, netball, basketball, concerts, festivals and Royal Show events.

Why would tennis want to move from its brilliant current location to the Showgrounds? It’s like asking cricket and football to move to the Showgrounds.

[Ho Really]

I think the Memorial Drive site could be used to build a new 25000-30000 seat rectangular stadium to maximise use and legacy of the Riverbank precinct, bringing higher capacity crowds closer to the city centre. To allow for more space and vibrancy, parts of Montefiore Rd and maybe War Memorial Drive could be tunnelled before building the rectangular stadium.

First of all I doubt Tennis SA would want to move from such a prime position. Secondly a rectangular stadium could be built elsewhere easily without reconfiguring Montefiore Hill Road and War Memerial Drives. I think rev mentioned using one of the ovals to the east of Adelaide Oval. Those belonging to the Uni. Now that would be a prime location.

Tennis could relocate to the existing Keswick Army Barracks site, opposite the Showgrounds. The new tennis centre can incorporate a main show court, being an 8000 seat retractable roof indoor arena could be Adelaide's secondary indoor arena suitable for tennis, netball, basketball, concerts, festivals and Royal Show events.

The Keswick Army barracks should be a TOD, not a sports complex. Your idea of developing Mile End is better. As for the showgrounds, I think there is still room to develop further if pavilions are required.

Cheers

[Patrick_27]

I think the Memorial Drive site could be used to build a new 25000-30000 seat rectangular stadium to maximise use and legacy of the Riverbank precinct, bringing higher capacity crowds closer to the city centre. To allow for more space and vibrancy, parts of Montefiore Rd and maybe War Memorial Drive could be tunnelled before building the rectangular stadium.

Tennis could relocate to the existing Keswick Army Barracks site, opposite the Showgrounds. The new tennis centre can incorporate a main show court, being an 8000 seat retractable roof indoor arena could be Adelaide's secondary indoor arena suitable for tennis, netball, basketball, concerts, festivals and Royal Show events.

What you're proposing is astronomically more expensive than what needs to happen...

[andynguyen]

Why would tennis want to move from its brilliant current location to the Showgrounds? It’s like asking cricket and football to move to the Showgrounds.

Moving tennis centres is without precedent in Australia. Melbourne relocated tennis from Kooyong to Melbourne Park in the late 1980s since there is not enough space at Kooyong to expand further. Sydney relocated it's tennis centre from White Park to Homebush for the 2000 Olympics. In addition, Brisbane built a tennis centre at Tennyson 10 years ago after the Milton courts were closed in 1999 due to financial difficulties, resulting in their city hosting international tennis at Adelaide's expense.

Moving the tennis centre in Adelaide is just one option for the future of tennis in Adelaide. I am aware that Perth is considering relocating their tennis centre.

[Ho Really]

Moving tennis centres is without precedent in Australia. Melbourne relocated tennis from Kooyong to Melbourne Park in the late 1980s since there is not enough space at Kooyong to expand further. Sydney relocated it's tennis centre from White Park to Homebush for the 2000 Olympics. In addition, Brisbane built a tennis centre at Tennyson 10 years ago after the Milton courts were closed in 1999 due to financial difficulties, resulting in their city hosting international tennis at Adelaide's expense.

Moving the tennis centre in Adelaide is just one option for the future of tennis in Adelaide. I am aware that Perth is considering relocating their tennis centre.

But which out out all these cities had a tennis centre in a prime poisition to start with? Besides being of high standard? None. We have the prime position. All we need is it to be brought up to scratch. What is happening now is temporary. Sure at present it is a compromise and money is always an issue. In the interim we need to support tennis with bums on seats and sponsorships or else nothing in future will be done. That's the bottomline. So if the support is there redeveloping Memorial Drive into a 8,000-10,000-seat stadium is not out of the question. It has room to expand downwards, around and above. The current roof can be dismantled and rebuilt, and possibly strengthened with supports around the sides where it is needed. Then add a more solid roof better suited to bad weather. It will be permanent, not retractable. I cannot see why it cannot be done. I truly think the architects may have had this in mind.

Cheers

[Stryker]

Making great progress. Looks like the roof is mostly complete.

[claybro]

Was hoping this might get better as it progressed... but it's awful. Just awful. This is our main state tennis stadium ffs. Looks more like a local suburban leisure centre constructed by the local council.

[Ho Really]

Was hoping this might get better as it progressed... but it's awful. Just awful. This is our main state tennis stadium ffs. Looks more like a local suburban leisure centre constructed by the local council.

It may look sh*t currently but this is a stop gap solution. Just imagine the two stands removed. Dig 10 metres or so down and have a wrap-around stand at a steeper angle. It will turn out to be a big stadium and possibly hold 8,000-10,000 spectators. It still can be done with the current roof or if it requires extending on the ends, because it is a steel frame, new pieces can be welded and bolted on. If not it can be easily removed and a totally new structure can go up, so I can't understand the whinging. I really would like to hear from the architects what they have in mind if this development was taken further. Then you (we) could whinge and give the proverbial worth! I'll join you too.

Cheers

[Patrick_27]

Was hoping this might get better as it progressed... but it's awful. Just awful. This is our main state tennis stadium ffs. Looks more like a local suburban leisure centre constructed by the local council.

It may look sh*t currently but this is a stop gap solution. Just imagine the two stands removed. Dig 10 metres or so down and have a wrap-around stand at a steeper angle. It will turn out to be a big stadium and possibly hold 8,000-10,000 spectators. It still can be done with the current roof or if it requires extending on the ends, because it is a steel frame, new pieces can be welded and bolted on. If not it can be easily removed and a totally new structure can go up, so I can't understand the whinging. I really would like to hear from the architects what they have in mind if this development was taken further. Then you (we) could whinge and give the proverbial worth! I'll join you too.

Cheers

You don't know that, though. None of you do. Anyone can say that this is merely a stopgap, but have you heard anything further about a proper overhaul of the complex? No. And if Labor held out for years without investing anything substantial here, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Libs won't be shelling anymore money for Memorial Drive even if this new international event is a major success. How I perceive the mentality behind this latest work:

Tennis SA: "Great, this is a great first step to something bigger!"
SA Government: "This investment should do it for the next couple of decades."

Whilst I don't think it's as bad as Claybro has stated (because I look at MSAC in Melbourne and how the premiere Olympic-standard swimming venue is of a similar arrangement to this), it's still pretty appalling.

[citywatcher]

Was hoping this might get better as it progressed... but it's awful. Just awful. This is our main state tennis stadium ffs. Looks more like a local suburban leisure centre constructed by the local council.

It's typical Liberal Party

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[ChillyPhilly]

Was hoping this might get better as it progressed... but it's awful. Just awful. This is our main state tennis stadium ffs. Looks more like a local suburban leisure centre constructed by the local council.

It's typical Liberal Party

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It's a Liberal Party vanity project.

[rev]

There's a higher probability that they'll eventually demolish the stands underneath the new roof structure and rebuild rhe stands, then there is they'll demolish everything and start from scratch.

Lets be honest, its the Liberal party run by Lucas with a jellyfish Marshall as figure head.

[SRJ]

This has nothing to do with A political Party. At least Liberal got us a tennis tournament. Rann, weatherall and the labor cronies couldn’t do that in their 12 years in office. In fact we lost our last tournament when they were in power. Even if the upgrade is not what we hoped at least it has got us an international tournament that we can build the stadium around. Just enjoy the tennis being back in your city.

[Ho Really]

This has nothing to do with A political Party. At least Liberal got us a tennis tournament. Rann, weatherall and the labor cronies couldn’t do that in their 12 years in office. In fact we lost our last tournament when they were in power. Even if the upgrade is not what we hoped at least it has got us an international tournament that we can build the stadium around. Just enjoy the tennis being back in your city.

Exactly none of this stuff should be politicised (tennis, formula 1, golf, etc...). Now that we're getting a good level tournament, support it by putting your bums on seats. In fact I want to see your faces at the tournament and post your pics here as proof. Then if you are not happy with the facilities make it known to Tennis SA and to Government and hopefully they will make it better, whomever is in government next time or in the following.

Cheers

P.S. You won't see me there unless I have a free ticket as I've covered sport for too many years as a photojournalist and have had enough of it. My interests lie elsewhere. Just to let you know.

[rhino]

You won't see me there unless I have a free ticket as I've covered sport for too many years as a photojournalist and have had enough of it. My interests lie elsewhere. Just to let you know.

I thought I recognised you!