A A$338M ($304M) makeover of Australia's tennis headquarters will include a footbridge from Birrarung Marr to Melbourne Park and a new 5,000-seat outdoor show court, according to James Campbell of the HERALD SUN. Victoria Premier Denis Napthine announced on Sunday "the second stage of an upgrade to the iconic Melbourne sporting precinct that will see the new footbridge create a western entrance to Melbourne Park." Napthine said that major events such as the Australian Open "delivered a massive boost to the Victorian economy and created new jobs." Napthine: "This $338 million upgrade to Melbourne Park is critical to continue attracting global sporting, music and other cultural events such as the Australian Open." When the redevelopment of Melbourne Park is complete, Rod Laver Arena will have a seating capacity of 15,000 and Hisense Arena 10,500. Margaret Court Arena "will have increased" from 6,000 seats to 7,500, and the show courts will seat 11,000. The redevelopment "will also feature a new central terrace and roof; enlarged garden square, upgraded bathroom, food and beverage amenities, and a new media centre." The State Government will provide more than A$298M for the upgrade with the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust kicking in A$40M (HERALD SUN, 1/11).
