Suters teams with Artas at Blundstone Arena

Suters Architects will partner with ARTAS Architects on Tasmania's $22 million Blundstone Arena, Bellerive Oval redevelopment project.

Suters Melbourne Design Leader Joshua McAlister said that the partnership will utilise the team's collective expertise in elite sporting training and playing facilities ensuring Blundstone Arena's place amongst the best stadiums in the country.

McAlister explained "we are looking forward to working with ARTAS and Cricket Tasmania on the development of a key note sporting venue for an iconic site.

"Suters is already currently collaborating with ARTAS on the $14 million Devonport Aquatic Centre due for completion next year. We are excited to continue this successful working relationship on such a significant sporting project."

ARTAS Director Scott Curran said the upgrade will see Blundstone Arena increase its seating capacity to 20,000 seats to better cater for increasing national and international sports tours, adding "the redevelopment will also ensure elite sport training, gym and rehabilitation requirements are met to cater for national and international cricket and national football matches."

A new entry will also be developed as well as the new stand. It will most likely replace the infrastructure on the eastern side of the ground with a detailed consultation phase being undertaken with all the ground's stakeholders. The structure will also house new elite training and rehabilitation facilities and will connect to a refurbished Members Stand.

Cricket Tasmania Chief Executive David Johnston said he is confident that after an extensive selection process the partnerships put in place for the redevelopment project will be successful.

Johnston concluded "Cricket Tasmania has undergone an intensive research process to make sure the redevelopment is going to be of first class standard and we are looking forward to working with Suters and ARTAS Architects very closely in the near future.

"The redevelopment of Blundstone Arena, Bellerive is an exciting project which will ultimately benefit many stakeholders so it was imperative we partnered wisely."

Suters Architects most recently completed the Punt Road Oval redevelopment in Melbourne for Richmond Football Club. The team will bring an understanding of elite sports and the sports fan experience to the Blundstone Arena redevelopment.

The upgrade is expected to be complete by 2015.

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