Chief Minister Andrew Barr has reiterated his initial calls for the Federal Government to act on the AIS Arena closure. Photo: Tim Gavel.
Reports of a large tent replacing the AIS Arena have been thrown out after Chief Minister Andrew Barr confirmed the option was explored but deemed unfeasible.
The arena, which is Commonwealth property, was closed in June 2020 due to several fire and event safety issues.
The AIS Arena closure forced the ACT Government to consider several alternative options including temporary structures.
In the annual report hearing on Thursday morning (3 March), the Chief Minister confirmed the large tent was considered unfeasible and the government was no longer exploring it as an option.
Mr Barr also reiterated what he believed was the “only path forward” for the 40-year-old venue, a view he has put to the Commonwealth on several occasions.
“If we were to acquire the asset, it would need to be part of a broader set of arrangements for that precinct,” he said.
“It would also need to include the stadium and all of the available land around it in order to sell that for redevelopment, to finance the redevelopment of the arena and the stadium.”
He believes the acquisition would first require a change in government.
The UC Capitals is one stakeholder eager to solve the ACT’s stadium problem, even if it is only temporary. Currently, the UC Capitals are sitting comfortably in 4th position on the WNBL ladder, which will see them return to finals basketball yet again.
At this stage, they will do it without a home court to play on in the ACT. The lack of facilities could potentially force the Capitals to Woolongong for their home finals.
General manager of the Capitals Lucille Bailie said though they are focused on basketball and not building and managing stadiums, they need a home.
“We have no certain position on where that home should be or which venue it should be, other than it needs to be in Canberra to service the team. The team needs to be able to play finals at home and to accommodate our passionate supporters, members, sponsors and the local community that loves the Capitals,” Ms Bailie said.
“Right now, today’s absolute top of the list, top of the job sheet priority is securing a venue for finals.
“We need to see a medium to long-term solution, but today the issue is where are we going to play finals and we don’t have the answer.’
With a finals berth likely only one win away, Ms Bailie admitted the potential for a home final away from home is “uppermost on the players’ minds”.
“Kelsey Griffin, our captain, said that it’s quite defeating for the team to think [of how] they play, they train and everything they give this competition,” she said. “For the players to go through the season with the possibility of playing in finals away from their home town and their home crowd…”
“It does beg the question if this was a scenario with a male or other sporting code, would they be faced with the same circumstances?”
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