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Melbourne’s most prestigious tennis club has revealed a plan for a multimillion-dollar revamp that includes adding a roof to Kooyong Stadium in a bid to host more sport and live music events.
The Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club announced on Thursday that it would buy Vision Australia’s property opposite the club’s Glenferrie Road home as part of a centenary master plan.
A render of a proposed new roof for Kooyong’s historic stadium.
The club said the 1.6-hectare Vision Australia site – believed to be worth more than $50 million – could be redeveloped to add 10 new hard courts, a wellness centre, padel courts and pickleball facilities.
The concept design also featured a new roof over centre court, which previously hosted the Australian Open and is still used for the Kooyong Classic in the lead-up to the summer grand slam event now at Melbourne Park.
Chief executive Ian Robson said this could bring live music back to Kooyong, where the likes of Elton John and Bob Dylan performed in the 1970s and ’80s.
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But the club has not declared how much implementing the masterplan could cost, or how it would be funded.
The tennis club’s finances have been under scrutiny recently, including in 2023 when it was forced to call in independent auditors to investigate millions of dollars in losses from its dining operations.
The tumultuous period resulted in the departure of its long-time chief executive Chris Brown, a rebel member group threatening legal action against the board, and accusations that club management spent $800,000 on wagyu beef.
The club posted a $535,126 surplus in the 2023-24 financial year, according to its most recent annual report.
Robson, who was appointed in January, used a recorded video to frame the new masterplan as creating an international event precinct that would require support to deliver.
Proposed new courts.
“We’ll be having those conversations with the members to outline our plans and what that means to them, but also talking to all tiers of government – federal, state and local – and prospective commercial partners,” Robson said.
The 90-day due diligence period for the purchase of Vision Australia’s premises at 454 Glenferrie Road will end on December 17.
The club said it would then undertake detailed design work, submit planning applications, and secure permits during a 24-month settlement period.
“The time we have with the transaction across the road gives us the time to engage with those stakeholders, to demonstrate that there is a viable funding model, not just for now, but for years and decades to follow,” Robson said.
Kooyong Tennis Club unveiled a new masterplan to add 10 new courts and a stadium roof
In a document shared with members, the club said it had “commenced a process to build a comprehensive plan that explores all opportunities to fund this project.
“This includes a combination of strong club capital management, structured financing, and a targeted fundraising program with key stakeholders, including all levels of government, philanthropy, corporate and sponsorship options.”
The club assured members that early advice had been received that said adding a roof to the centre court was achievable under heritage rules. Membership fees would not increase to fund the plan, it said.
Members will be able to vote on the proposed redevelopment after the purchase of Vision Australia’s land, which was a part of the club 100 years ago.
A render of proposed new hard courts at Kooyong.
Tennis legend Pat Cash and music promoter Matt Gudinski added their backing to the proposal in the club’s press release.
The club was contacted for further comment about the cost and financing of its plan.
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