USTA will put roof on Ashe stadium

[Moxie]

http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/230049.html

There, folks...finally you get what you've been asking for. USTA announces renovation to Billie Jean King Tennis Center, including a retractable roof for Arthur Ashe stadium.

 

[djmm]

:clap About damn time!!

 

[secrettennisjunkie]

I'm sure I'll get blasted for this, but I'm opposed to this move. Similar to the way we've seen Centre Court transformed into an indoor arena, Ashe will now likely function differently than when the roof is closed. Ashe was also unique among the other venues for the wind effects, and these are now likely gone. And finally, it will no longer be this giant open air stadium but will have a more enclosed feel.

I understand the idea of making sure the tournament goes on when it is raining, but I think it compromises outdoor tennis. The tennis has gone on for years and years by working around the raindrops, and now suddenly everyone feels like they need the roof. I think it's the TV money driving this bus, and I think turning some of these massive open air stadiums into arenas is other part of sport polluted by the almighty dollar.

 

[August]

I'm sure I'll get blasted for this, but I'm opposed to this move. Similar to the way we've seen Centre Court transformed into an indoor arena, Ashe will now likely function differently than when the roof is closed. Ashe was also unique among the other venues for the wind effects, and these are now likely gone. And finally, it will no longer be this giant open air stadium but will have a more enclosed feel.

I understand the idea of making sure the tournament goes on when it is raining, but I think it compromises outdoor tennis. The tennis has gone on for years and years by working around the raindrops, and now suddenly everyone feels like they need the roof. I think it's the TV money driving this bus, and I think turning some of these massive open air stadiums into arenas is other part of sport polluted by the almighty dollar.

Well, Ashe player differently to outside courts even without a roof, so I don't think having an indoor court in case of a rain is so unfair. But a good point anyway. The roof is a factor that can affect the result. But so can there be differences between all courts.

I think getting a roof is a good thing. A retractable roof is becoming a standard at slams so I think also the US Open needs it. Hopefully also RG will get a roof soon.

 

[August]

Some renderings of the planned roof:

I wonder if they will build a retractable roof to the new Louis Armstrong Stadium once Ashe has got its roof. At least you can see a roof over the grandstands in those pics and the new Armstrong was planned to enable a roof.

 

[nehmeth]

http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/230049.html

There, folks...finally you get what you've been asking for. USTA announces renovation to Billie Jean King Tennis Center, including a retractable roof for Arthur Ashe stadium.

A few more years of Monday night finals before this behemoth is covered... at a cost of $500 million (including the new Armstrong stadium?). That's a lot of cash.

 

[Kieran]

Yeah, but they make billions every year. Far as I know, the US Open is the largest annual sporting event in the world. They should be able to pay that off in jig-time...

 

[britbox]

You wonder why these things cost so much money... $500 million for a roof!

They build the 75,000 Millenium Stadium in Cardiff for £121 million (approx $180m) including a roof.

Admittedly it was 14 years ago... but even allowing for inflation, the figures above seem steep.