French tennis officials are looking for approval to expand the Roland Garros complex and build a $136 million, 16,000-seat tennis stadium with a retractable roof.
If the project is approved it would enable thousands of additional fans to attend the French Open and make Paris’ 2012 Olympic bid more attractive, said Christian Bimes, president of the French Tennis Federation.
The 20-court Roland complex, spread across 19.5 acres on the edge of Paris, is the smallest of all Grand Slam venues.
The expansion plan envisions taking over parkland across the road from Roland Garros, but there’s opposition from park supporters.
Details of the projected size of the new complex were not released. Talks were still underway with Paris City Hall, the French Olympic Committee and other officials.
A decision could be made by the end of July.
Bimes said, “even without Paris 2012 we will work on an extension program because President Chirac says he wants the stadium to extend”.
