Tennis: Centre gets makeover

The ASB Tennis Centre is getting an extreme makeover. Photo / Getty Images

It will be super flash - but apparently the casual tennis player won't need to serve up more cash.

The full $26 million redevelopment of the ASB tennis centre will be completed in July, resulting in what has been described as "the flashest sport and leisure club in Australasia and possibly beyond."

British firm Next Generation Clubs will be administering the venue but their spokesman made the surprising claim that costs will not change for the average tennis buff.

"In terms of pay as you play, it will cost exactly the same as it always did," says Scott Lloyd. "The pricing structure from before construction will stay the same.

" People will still be able to come and use some of the courts on a one-off basis - though if they are regular players, they will find it increasingly beneficial and cost-effective to join the club."

It will be a different story for members, though Lloyd, the son of former British professional David and nephew of ex-pro John, was less committal on annual fees.

He expects it will be similar to the $130-$155 a month that is currently paid at their four Australian clubs. Other reports have said that the yearly subscription could be up to $3500, though Lloyd is quick to stress that there are over 20 different categories of memberships.

"There are different tiers - it could be just fitness or including racquets, or including spa."

NGC have made a huge investment and they will be expecting to recoup. They have the sub-lease from Auckland Tennis for 25 years and hope to attract in excess of 3000 members.

It has been marketed as "an inner-city country club" and "your home away from home". NGC say their aim is to create "a family lifestyle around health, sport and leisure".

The redevelopment of the tournament facilities, which will encompass the club, was long overdue and necessary and will be of immense benefit to the ASB Classic and Heineken Open. Feedback from players over the past fortnight has been overwhelmingly positive, even though large areas are incomplete.

The new development will speak for itself when complete but some questions spring to mind: It will be a great facility but who exactly is going to use it? Aucklanders are also known for loving the outdoors, so will they want to spend hours and days inside the club with their families, especially in the months when the climate is more favourable?

Such 'country club' facilities have worked best in expat societies, bolstered by wealthy locals, like those found in much of Asia and South America as well as England - rather than a relatively classless country like New Zealand. Also, with New Zealand's tennis problems at the top level plain to see, and exposed once again over the last two weeks, surely this exclusive venue, at the heart of Auckland tennis will just drag the sport further away from the working classes, where many codes find their champions.

Apart from the usual gym offerings, the Next Generation Club will also boast 25m indoor and outdoor swimming pools, 12 tennis courts (with five available to the general public), an events and function centre as well as hairdresser and retail shops. It will also have a licensed bar and undercover parking for over 150 cars.