Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos has confirmed demolition will begin later this month on the long-awaited rebuild of the Australian Grand Prix pit building at Albert Park Circuit.
Works on the site are set to officially begin on March 27 as part of a major redevelopment linked to the Australian Grand Prix.
Dimopoulos described the project as a significant step for both the event and the local community.
“The new Melbourne Indoor Sports Centre will give the Albert Park community a bigger and better home for local sport, while delivering modern race facilities for the Australian Grand Prix,” he said.
“We’re investing in the future of the Australian Grand Prix so Melbourne can continue hosting this world-class event and showcasing Victoria to millions around the globe.”
New images released by the government show the upgraded complex will include seven indoor multi-purpose courts with change rooms, two more than the current facility.
During the Grand Prix, the venue will convert into a motorsport hub with 14 new garages, a race control centre, media room and VIP hospitality areas.
The current pit facilities date back to 1995, when Melbourne first began hosting the Formula One event.
The redevelopment, first announced in 2024, has faced scrutiny after a report by Andrew Greaves warned the project could exceed its budget by at least $115 million due to asbestos contamination.
The report also noted a contractor proposal estimating construction costs at $395 million, though a final budget has not yet been set.
Despite concerns and rumours of delays to the planned 2028 completion, the government says construction will continue through 2026 and into 2027 using a mix of new, existing and temporary facilities.
The redevelopment forms part of negotiations that secured the Melbourne race at Albert Park until at least 2037.
The 2026 event drew a record crowd of 483,934 across four days, reinforcing the Grand Prix’s status as one of Victoria’s biggest tourism drawcards.
Source: Herald Sun.
