
Melbourne’s iconic Rod Laver Arena will receive a $338 million makeover, the Andrews Labor government announced this week.
As part of the $700 million Melbourne Park Redevelopment project, the company Lend Lease were awarded the million dollar deal. Lend Lease were previously set to build the now dumped East West Link Toll.
Minister for Public Transport and Employment, Jacinta Allan announced in a statement, that work will begin on the project after the 2016 Australian Open commences.
“This multi-million dollar project will help drive the Victorian economy and will create 1300 jobs during construction,” Ms Allan said.
The remodel will see a new eastern entrance to the arena, an efficient loading bay that will help reduce the down time between concerts and events, and more well equipped rigging facilities.
Joe Fennessy media spokesman for Melbourne & Olympic Parks told The Newsroom that patrons need not panic as the area will remain open during the refurbishment.
“The Rod Laver Arena is going to be open hosting events throughout, except for a short period of time in 2017, and that’s because of the work that is going to be done on the interior, and that’s going to only take a couple of months,” Mr Fenessy said.
The improvements planned will be the most significant to take place in the history of the arena said the CEO of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Brian Morris.
”The back-of-house upgrades will allow our promoters and hirers to bring bigger and better shows to the Arena, while the overall event experience will be greatly enhanced for our patrons,” said Mr Morris said in the statement.
General Manager of Lend Lease’s Building Victoria Joe Kokai said in a statement, that Lend Lease is thrilled to be again partnering with the Victorian Government to work on the project. – Ayan Kut
Top photo an artist’s representation of the refurbished Rod Laver Arena from Melbourne Olmypic Parks’ website.