Fans, players need a roof over their heads
The short-term problem is finishing off this week’s women’s ASB Classic, but the long-term issue remains getting a roof on Centre Court.
The predicted heavy rain hit the ASB Tennis Centre yesterday morning, leading to the cancellation of the day session.
It’s a logistical nightmare to make up for the loss of a day’s tennis, but it highlights something Tennis Auckland have been looking to do for at least the last 15 years, which is to get a roof at Stanley Street.
Resource consent was secured over a year ago and off site prefabrication was supposed to have already begun, so that straight after the 2018 ASB Classic work would begin at the venue.
By 2020 there would be two new stands to replace the dilapidated Yock and Robinson Stands, which were built in the 1950s and well past their use-by date and there would also be a retractable roof in place.
Tennis Auckland had calculated that it would cost $18.5 million for the redevelopment.
$10.5 million of that was secured a year ago and they were confident of securing the rest of the money in early 2017.
However that didn’t happen and this has been another year where play has been badly affected by the weather.
‘‘We’d love to have a roof, but in the meantime we’ve got to wait to see if we can make that a reality,’’ tournament director Karl Budge said.
‘‘We’re not a million miles away - there is some great work being done on getting that roof project going.
‘‘We’re 100 per cent committed to that project and as soon as these tournaments are over, we’ll pick up that project again and try to make it a reality.
‘‘But days like today strengthen the argument when we have those conversations.’’
Despite requests since Monday, Tennis Auckland CEO Brent Robinson has been unavailable for an interview about the roof.
For fans who travelled from around the country, it was an exercise in futility to watch puddles yesterday, hoping that the rain would stop, while for the players, they face a hectic couple of days of tennis.
The quarterfinals may be played during the day tomorrow, then the first semifinal at 5pm, followed by the second one at 7pm.
If there are further rain delays, the semifinals and finals could be played tomorrow, when Budge hasn’t ruled out players having to play three matches.
However, Budge has insisted that singles matches won’t be moved indoors, but the doubles could if that becomes a necessity.