[COM] Memorial Drive upgrade

[rev]

ABC News has a report up about the push in Perth to upgrade declining tennis facilities and the competition among the capitals to get a piece of the pre-Aus Open fixtures. Don't mind the mildly exaggerated headline:

'When Rafael Nadal won't use the court at Perth's State Tennis Centre, it's time to ask questions'

I really hope Labor come to the 2022 election with a solid plan for what they want to do (overall), especially when it comes to this stuff. We need an overall approach, not bandaid fix it ups when times are desperate. Memorial Drive should have been phase 2 after Adelaide Oval was finished.
The Liberals are apparently, or were, doing a study into our sporting facilities, what ever happened to that? Any outcomes?

[arki]

Nice that the changes in Adelaide's skyline will be clearly visible throughout the broadcast this week

[d3v310per]

[Brucetiki]

While it's fantastic that these minor upgrades have been enough to attact an ATP event back to Adelaide, and a WTA event to Adelaide for the first time (and a fairly stacked WTA event in terms of talent too), Memorial Drive is also lucky that it's sandwiched between a stadium with spare facilities and an upmarket gym.

The player's locker rooms are the football change rooms at Adelaide Oval, and the players lounge is one of the function spaces in the Riverbank Stand at Adelaide Oval. Players will also be using the pool at Next Gen as part of their recovery/preparation too.

If Memorial Drive was on it's own, we wouldn't have this event.

[Ho Really]

Thanks d3v310per for the pic of centre court. I experienced the heat on this court many times when taking pics as a photojournalist. One time if I remember correctly it was shy of 40C in the shade but up and probably over 55C on the court. I had to cover my head and lens with a towel. A slightly damp one later on. After the matches would head straight to the Media Centre and guzzle whatever was in the fridge, mostly Gatorades or similar. Wonder what temps they are getting on the court, it would be interesting to find out.

Cheers

[Brucetiki]

Went to last night's session, and was surprised at how little protection the roof actually provides spectators from the elements, especially on the western end of the old stands. The roof needed to be a tad wider to provide maximum protection.

Also, pretty much all of the specator concessions are being sold out of shipping containers!

[Ho Really]

Went to last night's session, and was surprised at how little protection the roof actually provides spectators from the elements, especially on the western end of the old stands. The roof needed to be a tad wider to provide maximum protection.

[...]

Although I haven't been down there, what I can gather from the pic taken by d3v310per the roof is sufficient to give good cover. Why? Because if there are intentions to actually rebuild the stands into a circular stadium they can seal all gaps between the seated area and the roof. At present you are looking at two stands, the northern and southern that over extended. These stands were built for more than one centre court. I think they can fit four courts, but would use only two concurrently. Also the steepness of the east (corporate boxes) and west stands can be increased to match the southern stand. Anyhow with one court there's plenty of room to expand this stadium if they are serious about it. I've explained previously that you can also lower the court, dig down to increase the capacity. Memorial Drive is not a dead loss, there is potential there.

Cheers

[d3v310per]

Went to last night's session, and was surprised at how little protection the roof actually provides spectators from the elements, especially on the western end of the old stands. The roof needed to be a tad wider to provide maximum protection.

Also, pretty much all of the specator concessions are being sold out of shipping containers!

I can verify those sitting on the western side of the northern stand were getting baked on Sunday afternoon/evening. Also, spectators in the Aperol bar area on the eastern side were looking directly into the sun for quite a while. Probably not an ideal situation.

[Ho Really]

I can verify those sitting on the western side of the northern stand were getting baked on Sunday afternoon/evening. Also, spectators in the Aperol bar area on the eastern side were looking directly into the sun for quite a while. Probably not an ideal situation.

Yes I noticed this on the TV coverage. Perhaps they need to drop some sail cloth down the western end as a temporary measure, but yes, they'll eventually need to seal the stadium! I wonder if the architects took this into account. Strong winds may also cause issues.

Cheers

[Mpol03]

The Casino blocking out what’s behind it on North Terrace, makes it an even better addition to the skyline.
If they could reclad the Intercontinental then it would really be a pretty view. Dreams are free aye.

[Ho Really]

[...]
If they could reclad the Intercontinental then it would really be a pretty view. Dreams are free aye.

Off topic but yes the stone facades of many Adelaide buildings make them look heavy. Lightweight non-flammable panels would do the trick.

Cheers

[rev]

While it's fantastic that these minor upgrades have been enough to attact an ATP event back to Adelaide, and a WTA event to Adelaide for the first time (and a fairly stacked WTA event in terms of talent too), Memorial Drive is also lucky that it's sandwiched between a stadium with spare facilities and an upmarket gym.

The player's locker rooms are the football change rooms at Adelaide Oval, and the players lounge is one of the function spaces in the Riverbank Stand at Adelaide Oval. Players will also be using the pool at Next Gen as part of their recovery/preparation too.

If Memorial Drive was on it's own, we wouldn't have this event.

Imagine if there was a scheduling issue with say, international cricket. Who'd change their dates?
All the more reason the whole 'tennis/gym precinct' needs to be redeveloped properly.

[Honey of a City]

Once saw an international tennis event there some years back and being a poor student bought tickets in the far end bay in the southern stand. Struck me then what an absurd design MD was for centre court tennis. They had no qualms in selling expensive tickets for seats with a great view of everything BUT the centre court. The experience was not only alienating but also a musculoskeletal nightmare. Bit sad to see the current pic above with the identical configuration. MD needs a total re-design to bring it into the 21st century, which is already 20 years old. This temporary solution to get a tournament here better be followed up quick smart with a state of the art rebuild because tennis fans interstate and overseas will be watching this show and thinking of Mickey Mouse.

[Algernon]

Once saw an international tennis event there some years back and being a poor student bought tickets in the far end bay in the southern stand. Struck me then what an absurd design MD was for centre court tennis. They had no qualms in selling expensive tickets for seats with a great view of everything BUT the centre court. The experience was not only alienating but also a musculoskeletal nightmare. Bit sad to see the current pic above with the identical configuration. MD needs a total re-design to bring it into the 21st century, which is already 20 years old. This temporary solution to get a tournament here better be followed up quick smart with a state of the art rebuild because tennis fans interstate and overseas will be watching this show and thinking of Mickey Mouse.

The last time I went there, you could get in for a gold coin (can't remember which) if you brought a Pura Milk carton.

Still felt ripped off and that was with the amenity expectations of the 90s.

Putting a roof on top of a shit hole just gets you a shit hole with a roof on it.

[A-Town]

Once saw an international tennis event there some years back and being a poor student bought tickets in the far end bay in the southern stand. Struck me then what an absurd design MD was for centre court tennis. They had no qualms in selling expensive tickets for seats with a great view of everything BUT the centre court. The experience was not only alienating but also a musculoskeletal nightmare. Bit sad to see the current pic above with the identical configuration. MD needs a total re-design to bring it into the 21st century, which is already 20 years old. This temporary solution to get a tournament here better be followed up quick smart with a state of the art rebuild because tennis fans interstate and overseas will be watching this show and thinking of Mickey Mouse.

The last time I went there, you could get in for a gold coin (can't remember which) if you brought a Pura Milk carton.

Still felt ripped off and that was with the amenity expectations of the 90s.

Putting a roof on top of a shit hole just gets you a shit hole with a roof on it.

Yep. If we're serious about hosting world-class tennis and attracting more major events, concerts etc, we'd bulldoze it and build a multipurpose arena there. Putting a roof over this outdated facility isn't fooling anyone.