The location of the AIS has been debated for years. Photo: Sport Performance Centres.
The Territory’s Chief Minister is confident a Commonwealth review into the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) will confirm what he already knows: it’s in everyone’s best interest to reinvest in the Canberra facility and keep it in the ACT.
The Albanese Government has announced an independent review of AIS Infrastructure to “help guide investment” to ensure it’s best placed and fit for purpose for high-performance athletes in the context of a national approach that supports international competitiveness and achieving success at upcoming major sporting events. These include the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
According to the review’s terms of reference, it will consider the “optimal location” for the AIS in the context of the upcoming Brisbane games and the proposed “revitalisation” of the existing campus.
It will also look at the facilities required by athletes and major sporting events, including the level of investment needed in both the short and long term, readiness for athlete use with sufficient lead-up time for the Brisbane games, and international best practice.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the review would give the Federal government a “clear-eyed view” on priority investment in the AIS in the lead-up to 2032 and beyond.
“We will carefully and responsibly consider all of the report’s recommendations and advice,” she said.
What could be considered includes moving the AIS out of Canberra entirely.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said potential location options for the AIS’s future had been floated “for some time” but previous reports had found the best option was to keep everything in the Territory.
“Our priority is simple: we want a renewed AIS staying in Canberra. That’s the cheapest option, that’s the quickest option, frankly, for the outcomes that the Sports Commission want to prepare Australian athletes for forthcoming Olympic Games,” he said.
“It is also the best option for Canberra, and I believe the best option for the nation. It’s the most effective, cost-efficient way to achieve the outcomes that we’re looking for.”
The ACT Government signed an MOU with the AIS in June to move forward with revitalising the precinct, including options for a new stadium.
Mr Barr said the ACT would work with the Commonwealth to secure the funding needed to get the stadium off the ground as it was best to reinvest in the Canberra facility.
“This review will absolutely confirm that and enable us to get on with that project,” he said.
“[The AIS facility] is 45 years old; it’s time for investment in that entire precinct and it’s logical that the two governments work together on that.”
It’s a position backed by independent ACT senator David Pocock, who’s called on the Federal government to immediately rule out relocating the AIS.
He said it was disappointing the government had held a joint standing committee inquiry into promoting the significance of the ACT at the same time it was considering moving a “key national institute” out of the Territory.
“Why do Canberrans get taken for granted? The previous Coalition government allowed the AIS Arena to close due to lack of investment and now the Labor government has opened the possibility of moving the AIS away from Canberra altogether,” Mr Pocock said.
“Clearly, more investment is needed to upgrade ageing facilities, but we also need to recognise the solid bones that still exist.
“Upgrades would deliver much better value for taxpayers and also be less disruptive for athletes.”
More than 5000 athletes and coaches have trained at the AIS campus during 2023.
An Australian Sports Commission (ASC) spokesperson stated the AIS campus was “busier than ever” ahead of the 2024 Paris Games.
They said its annual capital works program had seen the start of several new projects to “further enhance” facilities, including a new and larger altitude residence with sleeping and living spaces for large groups of para and able-bodied athletes.
“The ability to train at altitude will make the AIS Campus unique in the Southern Hemisphere and provide the best possible training environment to maximise our athletes’ performance,” the ASC spokesperson said.
Upgrades to the AIS Arena are continuing, with improving fire safety and electric systems, new lighting, seats, changerooms and air-conditioning among the improvements.
The independent review is expected to be handed to the federal government by the end of the year.
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