Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/193236
US Open announces transformation steve wood resigns as The USTA has announced a five-year project to transform the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center which includes building a retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium and the construction of two new stadiums. The building work, which will cost in the region of US$550 million, will be implemented in three phases from now until scheduled completion by the 2018 US Open. In addition to the roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium, a new Louis Armstrong Stadium will be built in its current location and the current Grandstand Stadium will be moved from the northeast corner to the southwest corner of the site, allowing for better traffic flow around the grounds. Some of the outside courts will be moved further to the south in order to create a wider pedestrian walkway that will connect the new Grandstand to Court 17. The retractable roof is being designed by Rossetti, the designer and architect of Arthur Ashe Stadium, and will be built by Hunt Construction Group, which has a long history of sports facility construction in New York City. It will be constructed of flexible, translucent PTFE fabric stretched over a steel frame, and will be supported by eight steel columns surrounding Arthur Ashe Stadium. The showpiece roof is due to be finished by August 2017, but the first stadium planned for completion is the new 8,000-seat Grandstand Stadium in 2015. The project's final phase will include the construction of a new 15,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium in time for the 2018 tournament. TOMMY HINDLEY DIES It is with great sadness that ITFWorld includes news of the death of award-winning British tennis photographer Tommy Hindley, who passed away in September at the age of 66. Hindley, a frequent contributor to ITFWorld, was most well-known for his tennis photography but also covered other sports in his 40-year-career, most notably football, and the Olympic Games. Born in London, Hindley founded the Professional Sport photo agency in 1977, and his client list included the All England Club, LTA, many news outlets and advertising agencies as well as the ITF. He was chairman of the International Tennis Photographers Association for many years and was also a member of the Sports Journalists' Association in the UK. www.itftennis.com tennis australia ceo AUTUMN 2013 Mark L. Stenning, the CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, has announced that he will step down from his position in September 2014 after 34 years with the organisation. Stenning began his career at the Hall of Fame in 1980, and over the years has held positions as Tournament Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was named Chief Executive Officer of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum in 2000. Stenning will remain in his current position until next September, and will then move into consulting work for the organisation, as well as remaining on the Board of Directors for the foreseeable future. NEWS ROUND-UP Stenning to step down How the US Open site will look after completion Steve Wood resigned from his position as CEO of Tennis Australia in September after eight years. He will be succeeded in the role by Australian Open and Tennis Director Craig Tiley. Tennis Australia President Steve Healy congratulated Mr Wood on his "creative and progressive" leadership. "He took on the role at a time of great uncertainty within the organisation and has led the company into a very strong position," he added. "He helped transition Tennis Australia into a professional and well-run commercial entity that generates substantial revenue to help drive the growth of the sport of tennis. I wish Steve well with his future endeavours." LTA announces new Chief Executive Michael Downey at the 2013 ITF AGM Great Britain's Lawn Tennis Association has announced Michael Downey as its new Chief Executive. He will take up the position in January, replacing Roger Draper after seven years in the role. Downey has been President and CEO of Tennis Canada for the past nine years, during which time the sport has enjoyed significant growth in the country, both at grassroots and at the elite level. Prior to Tennis Canada, Downey held a series of executive positions including regional president for Canada's largest brewery, Molson Canada. "This is a huge privilege for me, at a fantastic time for British tennis," said Downey. "We have a tremendous opportunity in front of us, and it is an honour to be able to lead the work of the LTA in getting more people playing tennis." ITFWORLD AUTUMN 2013 23