BNP Paribas Open Tournament Dir & CEO Raymond Moore yesterday revealed a five-year site plan for the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and the "most interesting revelation is the creation of an on-site hotel," according to Shad Powers of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. Moore said that hotel-room availability is "currently a problem for tournament attendees." He said he hopes to have it built "just as quickly as we can get to it." Moore: "We have built stuff in record time here. ... So that will be part of the five-year development. Does it come in the fifth year or third year? I couldn't tell you right now." Powers reports the players and their entourages "would primarily stay in the on-site hotel." The rooms they currently use "would become available to potential tournament attendees." The concept of "building a new Stadium 3 and museum is also part of the five-year plan." However, the "biggest immediate changes" will take place at Stadium 1. After last year was "spent upgrading the section surrounding the court -- new seats, champions box, lowering the court -- this year will focus on improving the concourse areas and suites." Those improvements, which will be completed by next year's tournament, "include new and upgraded concession stands and restrooms." Suites also will "get a once-over as part of the 17-year-old stadium's entire overhaul." Moore also "hinted at a possible return of events at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, such as concerts and other sporting events." Meanwhile, Powers notes this year's tourney likely will fall "just short of matching the record attendance mark it set last year." Several factors went into that, including Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova "not playing this year." Also, poor weather on the first Monday "led to 5,000 fewer people on that day than the same time last year" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/21).
BANK ON IT? In California, Denise Goolsby noted there will be "two more years remaining" on BNP Paribas' title sponsorship of the event, and while it is "unclear whether BNP Paribas extends that contract, the bank has been pleased with the tournament." BNP Paribas North America CEO Jean-Yves Fillion said, "The BNP Paribas Open is one of the very, very top-titled sponsored events that we have. And I really tremendously enjoy the presence and I look forward -- and I’m very confident -- about the future." BNP Paribas "sponsors numerous other tournaments and events, including four ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore; Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas; and BNP Paribas World Team Cup for wheelchair tennis" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/19).
