124 | COMMUNITY Tennis Auckland T T Karen Phelps Roof a ‘game changer’ for tennis arena Tennis Auckland is targeting completion by early 2027, ensuring the new roof protects the centre court in time for the ASB Classic. “The arena will accommodate basketball, futsal, netball, volleyball, beach volleyball and concerts for 1000 to 4000 people, filling a gap in Auckland’s entertainment infrastructure.” A $5 million investment from the Government as part of its new $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package is providing crucial momentum for Tennis Auckland’s covered arena at the historic Manuka Doctor Arena in Parnell. “It’s a major project that covers more than just a roof, there are many aspects to it,” says Rohan West, chief executive of Tennis Auckland. “We are now working towards securing the remaining funding needed to complete the $15 million development.” The project, which actually commenced in late 2023, has already seen several components completed. “We upgraded our stadium lights to LEDs, and right now we are in the process of finishing up the demolition of the old Robinson Stand, extending the centre court area and putting in some enabling works,” Rohan says. He says the fabric membrane roof represents the final and most important element of the project. Tennis Auckland has been collaborating with four specialist manufacturers – two Australian and two New Zealand companies – who are primed to submit tender responses once all the funding is finalised. The organisation has raised approximately $3.8 million through various fundraising initiatives and aims to reach $5m through its own efforts. These include, grant applications, an innovative ‘1956 Club’ seat debenture programme offering premium five-year seats, and partnerships with high-net-worth individuals and the tennis community. It is hoped the remaining $5 million will come from Auckland Council. Rohan says the need for the covered facility has become increasingly urgent. During the 2023 ASB Classic, 17 of 20 sessions were affected by rain, forcing eight sessions indoors and away from public viewing. This resulted in approximately $150,000 in lost revenue through refunds and reduced sales. “Then the next year, in 2024, it was hot and sunny, and we had a few people having heat issues in the stands, and this year the weather issue was wind. The roof will protect from all of those climactic situations and will quite literally be a game changer,” says Rohan. The roof will also address critical tournament standards. The venue currently falls short of the minimum 3500-person capacity and court length requirements set by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), putting Auckland’s tournament status at risk. “We’ve already fallen behind Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in terms of having a major tennis centre with a covered centre court,” says Rohan. The project promises substantial benefits beyond tournament play. “We certainly expect the venue to be very attractive to other sports and music community event promoters,” Rohan says. “The arena will accommodate basketball, futsal, netball, volleyball, beach volleyball and concerts for 1000 to 4000 people, filling a gap in Auckland’s entertainment infrastructure.” For Tennis Auckland, a charitable not-forprofit organisation, the stakes are particularly high. The ASB Classic generates important revenue that is reinvested entirely into community programmes, including tennis initiatives reaching over 10,000 schoolchildren annually, support for more than 50 member clubs, and maintenance of public tennis facilities across Auckland. “The roof will result in an immediate $400,000 saving, due to reduced insurance premiums for weather events at the ASB Classic,” explains Rohan. With resource consent already approved and enabling works underway, Tennis Auckland is targeting completion by early 2027, ensuring the new roof protects the centre court in time for the 2027 ASB Classic. M
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