Suters Architects and ARTAS Architects have partnered to redevelop Tasmania’s $30 million Blundstone Arena, Bellerive for Cricket Tasmania.
The design undertook to revitalize a sense of community through improved pedestrian access, safe areas for crowds to congregate, access to public transport links and a combination of new and existing structures that tie in with the environment.
Suters senior associate Mike McGrath said the redevelopment embraces the philosophy of community sport and will cater for greater national and international cricket and AFL matches and see the facility increase its seating capacity to 20,000 seats.
“We are honoured to contribute to the delivery of this iconic national sporting facility. The redeveloped Blundstone Arena Bellerive will bring together amenities for the wider community and elite sport facilities for both, cricket and AFL.”
“The architecture is inspired by the sailboats on the Derwent River and creates accessible, stimulating and comfortable environments for all users’ needs, management of efficiencies, supervision and security,’ said McGrath.
The design maximises the use of retained structures, housing new elite training and rehabilitation facilities that connect to a refurbished Members Stand. A new entry and stand will be developed to replace the infrastructure on the eastern side of the ground.
“An information phase has begun with all the ground’s stakeholders. We look forward to working with stakeholder groups over the coming days to ensure we deliver a truly community focused facility,” said Scott Curran, Project Architect and Director of ARTAS Architects.
An Open Day for the public will be held on Saturday 13 October between 10am and 1pm.
The building will be complete in time for the 2015 World Cup. Suters and ARTAS are also collaborating on the $14 million Devonport Aquatic Centre due for completion next year.
