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Watpac Construction announced as Preferred Tenderer for Eastern Plaza project

Announcement posted by Watpac Limited 23 Dec 2010

Watpac to complete the Eastern Plaza project as part of Stage 1 of an overall $363 million redevelopment of the Melbourne Park precinct.

Watpac Limited’s (ASX: WTP) Construction division has been nominated as Preferred Tenderer for the Eastern Plaza project at Melbourne Park, the home of Australian tennis.

Located in the area between Hisense Arena and Punt Road, the design and construct project is part of Stage 1 of an overall $363 million redevelopment of the Melbourne Park precinct, which will provide major upgrades to the facility, securing the long-term future of the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament.

The project will include the construction of a new public plaza and gathering space, eight new indoor courts and 13 outdoor courts for elite training and general public use, and state-of-the-art player facilities including a gymnasium, lounge areas, change rooms, and coaching facilities.

Watpac will also undertake the refurbishment and construction of new entries to Hisense Arena, and the construction of additional parking and a footbridge linking Melbourne Park to the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

The redevelopment aims to cater for the growing popularity of the Australian Open and to establish Melbourne and Olympic Parks as an unbeatable sports and events precinct. It will place a strong emphasis on the comfort of patrons, with more open space and shade, increased seating capacity, better connections to public transport and the city, and easier movement into and within Melbourne and Olympic Parks.

Watpac's consultant team who prepared the preferred design includes Daryl Jackson Architecture, Winward Structures and WSP Lincolne Scott.

The Company will work with the Victorian Government, the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, and Tennis Australia to deliver the project.

The nomination as preferred tenderer for the project reflects Watpac’s reputation as a quality builder of major sporting facilities around Australia, with previous projects including the Skilled Stadium Premiership Stand at Geelong, Skilled Park Stadium on the Gold Coast, and Suncorp Stadium and ‘The Gabba’ in Brisbane.

The Company is also currently undertaking the construction of the State Sports Facilities project at Albert Park in Melbourne, and the Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland (new home for the Gold Coast Suns AFL Club).

Greg Kempton, Watpac Managing Director, said he was delighted the Company was nominated preferred tenderer for this part of the Melbourne Park redevelopment.

“The Australian Open is one of this country’s most iconic and historically valued events, and we are very pleased to be able to play a part in ensuring the longevity of this Grand Slam tournament,” Mr Kempton said.

“This project is an opportunity for Watpac to showcase its aptitude for constructing world-class sport facilities catering for top national and international athletes and their fans.

“Projects of this type offer a range of technical challenges, and our team is eager to put its skill and knowledge of major sporting facilities construction into motion.

“We are looking forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver a facility both Victoria and the nation can be proud of.”

Works are expected to begin on site following the 2011 Australian Open.


Note to editors:
Watpac is an ASX-listed company specialising in construction, civil engineering and mining, specialty services (including refurbishments), and property development. We have offices in Brisbane, Townsville, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. More information can be found at www.watpac.com.au.