Early 2016 saw the commencement of the Rod Laver Arena upgrade and new extensions, with completion in 2020. Rod Laver Arena remained operational throughout the refurbishment.

Prolux were contracted to perform Stage 1 works for Lend Lease at Rod Laver Arena for the front entry redevelopment. Works entailed, relocating the merchandise and ticket sales cubicles and the turnstiles to make way for the redevelopment to the front of Rod Laver Arena. These works included:

• Disconnection of all power supplies to each cubicle including, fibre cabling and data cabling
• Installation of new fibre and sub mains to the relocated cubicles
• Installation of underground conduits, for reticulated cabling and future cabling
• Installation of new LED flood lighting for the large display banners for upcoming events
• Installation of temporary switchboards, lighting and emergency and exit lighting to the new temporary office and site sheds
• Installation of all wiring for the temporary site office, including data and power to workstations (to accommodate all of the office staff for the rest of the stages)
• Installation of a comms rack and fitting off all data to the comms rack
• Installation of driveway and car park lighting
• 3 Phase power outlets for pop-up food and beverage location.

The Rod Laver Arena upgrade was part of the $338 million second stage of the Melbourne Park redevelopment, which further enhanced Melbourne’s world class sporting precinct. Other elements of Stage 2 included a pedestrian bridge over Batman Avenue and a new eight storey Media Building that provides media and broadcast facilities for the Australian Open.

Melbourne Park hosts over 200 events a year, providing $421 million in economic benefit to the State and creating 3,140 FTE jobs.

The refurbishment amounts to the first major construction work to take place at Rod Laver Arena since it first opened to the Victorian public in 1988.

Images: Melbourne & Olympic Parks.