MELBOURNE: Tennis Australia has reportedly launched a secret A$1 billion ($760 million) bid made to the Victoria state government seeking controlling rights of the venue of the first Grand Slam of of year.
According to a report in the Herald Sun on Monday, the bid includes management of Rod Laver Arena, HiSense Arena, Margaret Court Arena and the surrounding precinct on a 21-year lease.
Tennis Australia told news.com.au it had confidence to do full justice to the cause after many years of successfully organizing the Australian Open.
“The Australian Open has grown massively over the past few years and we are now in the unique position of being able to use this experience to benefit the whole community,” Tennis Australia chief operations officer Tom Larner told Herald Sun.
“Melbourne Park truly is the world’s best sports and entertainment precinct and our proposal will help bring it to life year round. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback and are strong in our belief that this is the way to go.
“We believe there’s enormous scope to activate the whole precinct throughout the year, creating great experiences and giving the community more reasons to come and enjoy the world-class facilities. And this in turn will generate a greater return for the taxpayer.”
As part of the deal, Tennis Australia would rename the HiSense Arena to Melbourne Arena. The thought is to make the Melbourne Park about entertainment as much as sport with top class facilities and attractions such as an outdoor cinema, new retail outlets and riverside restaurants.
The Rod Laver Arena remains one of the bigger venues for live music. In 2017, artists including Drake, Alice Cooper, Green Day, Santana, Stevie Nicks, Blondie and Keith Urban played sold out shows there in the past.
