Published Wednesday, 11 July, 2007 at 08:53 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
QUEENSLAND SERVES UP ANOTHER ACE AS ‘BIG EVENTS STATE': PREMIER
Premier Peter Beattie today announced the new State Tennis Centre at Tennyson reached another milestone with the multi-million development moving under the umbrella of the Major Sports Facilities Authority.
Mr Beattie said this would keep the State’s big-league facilities under one management roof while enabling the centre to leverage off of the authority’s expertise in designing, constructing and operating Queensland’s major sporting venues.
“The State Tennis Centre, which is due for completion at the end of 2008, will join a stellar line-up that includes Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Sleeman Sports Complex, Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville and the soon to be completed Skilled Park on the Gold Coast,” Mr Beattie said.
“In many respects, the new complex at Tennyson will be the icing on the cake for the big events State,” he said.
It will host the inaugural Australian combined Men’s and Women’s Hardcourt Championships in January 2009 – in the lead-up to the Australian Open in Melbourne – re-affirming Queensland’s credentials on the international tennis circuit.
Mirvac began building the $77 million complex in January this year and it will feature 23 international-standard courts including three Grand Slam surfaces – grass, clay and acrylic, and a Centre Court arena seating up to 5,500 patrons.
“The venue will also now include $2.8 million of modification to provide enclosed and air-conditioned players’ lounge and corporate lounge, upgrade the media room, provide shade over two of the show courts and a glazed and air-conditioned multi-function space which will be a 1/2 court for junior coaching in non-event periods and a media work room during events,” Mr Beattie said.
“Importantly, the centre will become the headquarters for Tennis Queensland as well as the Queensland Academy of Sport’s tennis program, and one of Tennis Australia’s national high performance academies.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland was living up to its “big events State” reputation with more than 3.9 million patrons attending events at the authority’s venues during the 2006-07 financial year.
“This record patronage was also up 700,000 on the previous year,” he said.
“Big events like these also fuel the economy.
“November’s Ashes Test at the Gabba pumped some $72 million into the State, while the Bledisloe Cup held in Brisbane for the first time in 10 years contributed around $17 million.
“Other big-ticket events included two sold out Robbie Williams concerts which attracted more than 100,000 patrons, a sold out U2 concert with more than 48,000 patrons, national swimming championships and a record year at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre regarding the number of concerts held there and patrons through the venue.”
Mr Beattie said these events generated jobs and provided a business bonanza for accommodation, business services, transport, retail and trade sectors.
“That's not to mention the fact that Queensland’s venues were seen by millions of television viewers around the country and the globe,” he said.
“It is endorses once again the State Government’s wise investment in the redevelopment of Suncorp Stadium – the best rectangular football stadium in the world.
“With Dairy Farmers in Townsville and Skilled Park under construction on the Gold Coast, we have some of the best sporting and entertainment facilities in the country.”
Mr Beattie also announced today that a second function room would be fitted out at Skilled Park.
“As a result of project cost savings to date, the Major Sports Facilities Authority will reinvest these savings into a second 500 person function room at the Gold Coast’s newest venue,” he said.
“This will benefit the Titans on match days and also increase the venue’s ability to host additional non-event day functions throughout the year.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
MEDIA CONTACTS: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Mr Beattie said this would keep the State’s big-league facilities under one management roof while enabling the centre to leverage off of the authority’s expertise in designing, constructing and operating Queensland’s major sporting venues.
“The State Tennis Centre, which is due for completion at the end of 2008, will join a stellar line-up that includes Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Sleeman Sports Complex, Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville and the soon to be completed Skilled Park on the Gold Coast,” Mr Beattie said.
“In many respects, the new complex at Tennyson will be the icing on the cake for the big events State,” he said.
It will host the inaugural Australian combined Men’s and Women’s Hardcourt Championships in January 2009 – in the lead-up to the Australian Open in Melbourne – re-affirming Queensland’s credentials on the international tennis circuit.
Mirvac began building the $77 million complex in January this year and it will feature 23 international-standard courts including three Grand Slam surfaces – grass, clay and acrylic, and a Centre Court arena seating up to 5,500 patrons.
“The venue will also now include $2.8 million of modification to provide enclosed and air-conditioned players’ lounge and corporate lounge, upgrade the media room, provide shade over two of the show courts and a glazed and air-conditioned multi-function space which will be a 1/2 court for junior coaching in non-event periods and a media work room during events,” Mr Beattie said.
“Importantly, the centre will become the headquarters for Tennis Queensland as well as the Queensland Academy of Sport’s tennis program, and one of Tennis Australia’s national high performance academies.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland was living up to its “big events State” reputation with more than 3.9 million patrons attending events at the authority’s venues during the 2006-07 financial year.
“This record patronage was also up 700,000 on the previous year,” he said.
“Big events like these also fuel the economy.
“November’s Ashes Test at the Gabba pumped some $72 million into the State, while the Bledisloe Cup held in Brisbane for the first time in 10 years contributed around $17 million.
“Other big-ticket events included two sold out Robbie Williams concerts which attracted more than 100,000 patrons, a sold out U2 concert with more than 48,000 patrons, national swimming championships and a record year at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre regarding the number of concerts held there and patrons through the venue.”
Mr Beattie said these events generated jobs and provided a business bonanza for accommodation, business services, transport, retail and trade sectors.
“That's not to mention the fact that Queensland’s venues were seen by millions of television viewers around the country and the globe,” he said.
“It is endorses once again the State Government’s wise investment in the redevelopment of Suncorp Stadium – the best rectangular football stadium in the world.
“With Dairy Farmers in Townsville and Skilled Park under construction on the Gold Coast, we have some of the best sporting and entertainment facilities in the country.”
Mr Beattie also announced today that a second function room would be fitted out at Skilled Park.
“As a result of project cost savings to date, the Major Sports Facilities Authority will reinvest these savings into a second 500 person function room at the Gold Coast’s newest venue,” he said.
“This will benefit the Titans on match days and also increase the venue’s ability to host additional non-event day functions throughout the year.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
MEDIA CONTACTS: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500