Exclusive first look at major Kooyong Tennis Club redevelopment

The ambitious revamp includes 10 new playing surfaces, a spa and wellness centre and an all-weather centre court that would double as a multipurpose event space.

A new stadium roof to transform Kooyong Tennis Club into an all-weather multipurpose event venue is part of a master plan to reinvigorate Australia’s “spiritual home of tennis”.

The ambitious revamp, which includes 10 new playing surfaces and backed by tennis legends such as Pat Cash, has been underpinned by the purchase of a Vision Australia site on Glenferrie road — land that was part of the Kooyong precinct a century ago.

New tennis hard courts would pave the way for complementary events during the Australian Open, which was held at Kooyong before Melbourne Park opened in 1988, such as for warming up or legends matches.

Kooyong will present a multimillion-dollar centenary master plan to members, stakeholders and government groups. Picture: Supplied

A spa and wellness centre would also be built, while pickleball and padel courts would usher in a new generation of sports fans.

The new “floating” roof over centre court would complement the site’s heritage and open-air feel, while enabling it to return to its status as a premier multipurpose event space that once hosted Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan.

President of Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, Steve Wood, said the 10 new hard courts planned for the 1.6 hectare parcel of land acquired would be capable of hosting tennis and netball, alongside padel courts and indoor and outdoor pickleball facilities.

A new spa and wellness centre would overlook the outdoor courts. Picture: Supplied

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to future-proof Kooyong as the spiritual home of tennis and a venue for the community to enjoy sport, music, and entertainment,” Mr Wood said.

“If we have an opportunity to re-contemporise, to rejuvenate, for Kooyong to have its contemporary place as the heartbeat of Australian tennis — that’s something that is so powerful, for generations to come.”

Kooyong will present the multimillion-dollar centenary master plan to members, stakeholders and government groups, in the hope of securing funding and planning approvals for the state-significant project.

Once built, Kooyong’s footprint would expand from 6.4 to 8 hectares.

Across its famous history, Kooyong has celebrated sporting greatness including through hosting the Australian Open and epic Davis Cup battles.

Jensen Holm, Pat Cash and Kayla Coster at Kooyong. Picture: Supplied

Club member and tennis champion Pat Cash, who played in many of those battles including victories in 1983 and 1986, told the Herald Sun he welcomed the master plan.

“As the spiritual home of Australian tennis, Kooyong has played an unrivalled role in shaping the game. It holds a special place in my heart and seeing this plan fills me with confidence,” Mr Cash said.

New tennis hard courts would pave the way for complementary events during the Australian Open. Picture: Supplied

The capacity of the centre court at Kooyong is about 9000, which includes 6000 seats. The plan to roof the area would be done using a lid-like cover that would maintain the original structure but protect from the elements.

Mushroom Group chief executive, Matt Gudinski, said this would allow for Kooyong to build on its legacy as a venue that “hosted some of the greatest performers of all time”.

“Bringing it back as an all-weather venue will help fill a critical gap in our city’s event infrastructure and ensure Melbourne continues to lead the nation in live music and cultural experiences, while honouring a venue that means so much to artists and audiences alike,” he said.

Pickleball and padel courts would usher in a new generation of sports fans. Picture: Supplied

Chief executive of the club, Ian Robson, said Kooyong has a glorious history and past and “you feel it every time you come here”.

“If you like the Hollywood Bowl kind of feel with heritage and history, this is what we envision,” he said.

“We know that there are many artists who would love to be able to come here and stand in the shoes of Mick Jagger, of Robert Plant, of Bob Dylan.”

Due diligence for the purchase of 454 Glenferrie Rd site ends on December 17, with the club then set to embark on detailed design work and planning applications.

Mr Wood said the club was excited to engage with members and stakeholders over that period “to bring this transformative vision to life”.