More upgrades in the works for BNP Paribas and Tennis Garden

The restaurants are already open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with eager tennis fans looking forward to not just a nice meal but the BNP Paribas Open and the benefits that come with the tournament.

“It’s fun and economically it’s great for the valley, it brings a lot of people and they experience the weather and the nice people are,” said Carl Gromada of Indio.

The Indian Wells Tennis Garden has seen some big changes this year, including a new giant sports bar that holds around 480 people and has more than 50 television screens.

The main stadium, Stadium One, went through renovations too.

“We changed the seats from a blue to a really nice dark green. We took out all the hand railings so we were able to widen the seats, and give every spectator a little more comfort,” said Raymond Moore, CEO of the BNP Paribas Open.

Those old seats are now in the practice area so fans won’t need to stand or find a bleacher.

Ticket prices have changed for some of the better spots.

“Most of the cheaper seats have hardly increased at all. We always want to make the tennis affordable. The better seats courtside have increased in price,” said Moore.

According to Moore, the reason for the increase is higher demand and an increased purse, which is now $14 million.

In a few years Stadium Three, a temporary facility, is going to look more like Stadium One. A five year development plan in the works to turn the temporary stadium into something looking much bigger, including holding a tennis museum.

Tickets for the BNP Paribas Open are still available.

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