Tennis Auckland seeking $15 million to have roof built in time for 2027 ASB Classic

Sunday, 12 January 2025

Tennis Auckland seeks $15 million to build a roof on Centre Court at Manuka Doctor Arena.

The roof project aims to save $450,000 annually in insurance costs for weather-related cancellations.

Auckland Council estimates the 2024 Classic delivered a $17.1m economic boost to Auckland.

Tennis Auckland is on the hunt for $15 million so it can put a roof on Centre Court at Manuka Doctor Arena.

It was another fortnight of tennis where rain had an impact on play, but Tennis Auckland CEO Rohan West and former president Greg Long hope that the end is in sight for the long running saga to finally build a roof on the venue.

Resource consent was secured for a roof in September and the plan was to start work on it straight after next year’s Classic, to have it ready for the 2027 event.

The only thing missing is $15m to pay for it, and they’re looking for investment from central and local government, as well as companies and individuals.

“We're in fundraising mode, and we were able to announce at the media launch back in November, that Manuka Doctor, through their sponsorship of the venue, have committed a $600,000 donation to the roof project, so we're out of the gates.”

The Auckland Council-controlled organisation Tātaki Auckland Unlimited determined that the 2024 Classic delivered a gross $17.1m economic boost to Auckland.

Back in 2015 plans were drawn up for a solid, retractable roof which was part of a $18.5m development. But the money never materialised for that and now a more pragmatic approach is being taken, for a canopy type roof, similar to what’s used for the tennis tournaments in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Those improvements were supported by state governments.

Tennis Auckland has had positive feedback from central and local government about their plans, which West and Long say is a turnaround from a year ago, but they aren’t stopping there to find the money, and also talking to foundations, businesses and well-to-do families who might be willing to make a donation.

“We’re not quite sure how we're going to bring it all together at this stage, but I personally believe the opportunity is there,” Long said.

“We've got to raise the money this year so that the plans that Rohan and the team have to get things underway after the tournament next year, actually happen.”

The $15m covers the demolition of the Robinson Stand, the roof, landscaping and enabling works after the Robinson is removed to support a temporary grandstand, toilets and food and beverage services for the Classic. By having the roof, Tennis Auckland would save $450,000 on insurance for when sessions are cancelled due to bad weather.

West said while they’re looking for $15m, they might be able to go ahead if they’re a bit short of that target.

“The last cost estimate was between $13.5 and $15m,” he said.

“That does include contingencies and building inflation costs. So with a fair wind and inflation settling down a little bit, especially in the building industry, we could do it for $12m to $13m instead of the upper end.

“But we have seen plenty of New Zealand projects blow out in terms of timelines and budgets, so we're targeting $15m and then if the actual project comes in underneath that, then that's fantastic. That gives us some opportunities to do other things at the venue, which have always been part of the grand plan going back to 2015.”

The idea is that once a roof is on the court, it will allow the venue to be used for non-tennis events.

“The way I see this from selling it out there in the marketplace, is it's not just about tennis or two weeks of the year,” Long said.

“With the roof it'll create a niche stadium for the Auckland area, which could then provide the opportunity for music, arts, other sports, or cultural things, all sorts of events that could potentially take place during the course of the year.

“I think that makes it easier to have discussions. We know it's about tennis initially, but it's about creating something for Auckland City in the future.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and government ministers, have been to the tennis over the past fortnight.

Long says the money for the roof could come from one party or several, but it would be beneficial to have local and central government backing.

“If we know we've got some sort of government and local body support, I think that lends to the credibility of other other parties participating,” he said.

“In a perfect world, you get one entity that gives us $15m and then it’s done. It could be a business, a well to do family, or government.

“That's possibly unrealistic but we won't know until we get in front of people. What I think, in already having discussions with all sorts of people who've come through here - and with some of the other contacts I and board members have - is that there's a lot of money out there.

“But our challenge is to tap into it and appeal to the emotions of them being involved.”

Another issue Tennis Auckland faces is that the size Centre Court is now too small. The ATP changed its regulations in 2023 and it is 3.5 metres shorter than the minimum length.

“We got a waiver this year and a waiver for last year,” West said.

“They will continue to give that for a certain amount of time I would imagine, until there will probably come a stage where the ATP will go, 'come on ASB Classic, you've been promising to do something for many years, you’ve got to do something, otherwise we may not sanction the tournament’.

“That's the ultimate danger, so to overcome that, there is an understanding, and it's part of this plan already, is to demolish the Robinson Stand and take back another four metres of ground space to increase the court length.”

A temporary stand in place for next year’s Class will increase Centre Court’s capacity to 4000, something that would again make it compliant with the ATP’s rules as with it currently being under 3500, it’s below the minimum limit.

“Monte Carlo and Queen’s are probably two of the best and biggest examples of where smallish, private members clubs get turned into seven to 10,000 seat arenas all through temporary scaffolding infrastructure,” West said.

“I think there's nothing but upside for the demolition of the Robinson Stand, which has served us very well for 70 years, and the original even goes back to the 1930s but it is now showing its age and is actually holding us back as as a tournament to grow and develop.”