The Australian Open and Wimbledon have both the protection against the rain, the French Open will have it and… the Americans couldn’t miss it.
USTA announced that they are going to have not 1 but 3 stadiums with retractable roofs as a part of a major overall of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
The Project
The total cost will be a “wow” $550 million and there are going to be three phases and 2 goals:
1- Having a retractable roof on the Arthur Ashe Stadium by 2017
2- Building 2 more stadiums the new Louis Armstrong Stadium and a new Grandstand, both with a retractable roof by 2018.
From USTA
“We have been working toward a viable design for a roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium for more than a decade. Through a long and arduous process, we feel that we now have a design that meets the criteria of being architecturally sound, aesthetically pleasing, reasonably affordable, and buildable.” said the USTA Chairman of the Board and President Dave Haggerty
“This transformation will make the U.S. Open more accessible to more fans, creating a spectacular facility that will mirror the energy and excitement of New York and provide an enhanced player and fan experience.
When all the pieces are in place, the National Tennis Center will be among the most fan-friendly, technologically advanced facilities in the world of sports — a leader for the 21st century and beyond.”
Now a new Champion?
That’s a good news… now they just need an American champion to fill the complex… the Connors, McEnroe, Sampras and Agassi are long gone…looking forward to it!
