The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum in London, UK, has announced it is to undergo a multi-million pound revamp.
Designed by Mather & Co, the refurbishment plans include introducing a number of 3D interactive elements. Construction work is currently under way and is due completion by April 2006.
In one of the new installations at the museum, visitors will be able to see a 3D projection of tennis legend John McEnroe wandering through a recreation of 1980s-style changing rooms.
There will also be a 220-degree video screen, which will allow visitors to ‘fly around’ and view action from the final of Wimbledon tennis championships using post-production methods usually associated with science fiction films.
Ashley Jones, commercial manager of the museum, said: “When we started planning the refit at Wimbledon, one of the first things we did was to review the current offering of high profile sports museums with a view to bringing some originality to what we believe has become a passive arena.”
The exact cost and plans for the museum have yet to be announced, but designer Chris Mather said he wanted to avoid providing too much technology and not enough content.
“There must be a hierarchy – all too often visitors are bombarded with too many high-tech gems and too little content or story,” said Mather.
“Sport is about emotion, winning and losing are equally as important whether you are a player or a spectator. We want the new facility to be an attraction where a family can spend an entire day.”
The 7,500sq ft museum is part of Wimbledon’s 10-year restructuring plans, which include the renovation of the Centre Court buildings.