Next Generation To Develop new Auckland Tennis Centre

Details for a new $25 million tennis centre and health club in Auckland have been confirmed.

Set to replace the ASB Tennis Centre in the suburb of Parnell, the venue will be developed by Next Generation Clubs, who currently operate four similar facilities in Australia.

To be built on the site of the current venue adjoining the Auckland Domain, the new multi-level venue will be expanded to include a rooftop swimming pool, two further pools, spa and sauna rooms, a large fitness suite, conference rooms, a hair and beauty salon, and a lounge and a dining area from which spectators will be able to watch the court action.

The main centre court of the new venue will retain its current layout, with new overhead shades, while the other courts will be moved apart and raised so a large car park can be built below.

The final stage of the project will include a $7 million sliding roof.

The new centre will have about 400 more seats than the present venue, taking capacity to about 3,600. It is also being tipped to become a major drawcard for international tennis stars, and is being promoted as being capable of boosting the number of tennis players in Auckland.

Construction is set to begin in March, with last week's ASB Classic women's tournament and this week's men's Heineken Open to be the last tennis events in the present centre. The NZ beach volleyball open, from 19th January, will be the venue's last sporting fixture.

The ASB Classic and Heineken Open have been renowned internationally for their friendly atmosphere where players and international officials could mingle with spectators and that too would be retained, according to Tennis Auckland Chairman Alan Chester, who explained that "we don't lose that intimacy - that's been paramount from day one."

The new centre will be largely completed in time for next year's tournaments.

Chester explained that it had taken five years to secure the deal with Next Generation Clubs, stressing that no Auckland City Council or Government money or loans will be used to develop the centre. Chester added that Tennis Auckland had needed the help of the Auckland City Council and local politicians to obtain legislation to ensure the site, on sensitive land at Auckland Domain, could be redeveloped.

However, Next Generation Clubs, established by former UK-Davis Cup player and coach David Lloyd, follow a business model whereby they secure long term leases, at little or no cost, on prestigious sites. Next Generation Clubs then fund the development, selling memberships to new members while respecting the existing tennis clubs' memberships.

It's a model that has served David Lloyd well. His first tennis and health club venture, the 18-club David Lloyd Leisure chain being sold for £200 million (A$440 million) in 1995. Since that time he has focused his attention on Next Generation Clubs.

Next Generation Clubs describes the venue as a "home away from home" that would also have "the most comprehensive gym in New Zealand with $2 million state-of-the-art cardiovascular and weights equipment."

Alan Chester is delighted with the development, stating "it sets up Tennis Auckland for many, many years to come.

"It's a world-class facility ... it's stunning ... tennis in New Zealand has not seen anything like this before."

Image shows the Next Generation Club in Perth's Kings Park.

24th March 2009 - NEXT GENERATION CHOOSES TIGERTURF