ACT Government reveals plans to upgrade and expand Belconnen Basketball Stadium

The ACT Government has revealed plans for the expansion of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium with Basketball ACT (BACT), committing $938,000 to the initial phase of the project.

This first phase aims to provide three new indoor courts with the capacity to convert into a temporary show court with retractable seating for up to 1,800 people on the site adjacent to Belconnen Basketball Stadium which is owned by BACT.

Advising that the proposal to upgrade the venue aligns with a commitment to upgrade and improve sporting facilities across the ACT, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation, Yvette Berry stated “the signing of the Heads of Agreement provides a framework for ongoing discussions between Basketball ACT and the ACT Government regarding the proposed expansion.

“Collaboration with sporting organisations on important infrastructure projects such as this ensures proposals are well considered and meet the needs of our sporting communities.

“Early planning and due diligence is underway for the Belconnen Basketball Stadium expansion project and I look forward to seeing the preliminary designs in 2025.

“Basketball is a hugely popular sport in the ACT and this proposed expansion will benefit many and ensure that more games can be played at the home of basketball in the ACT.”

Basketball ACT Chief Executive, Nicole Bowles added “this announcement is a pivotal step forward in the negotiation and implementation process with the ACT Government in relation to the three-court expansion of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium. Basketball ACT is an active partner with the ACT Government, with the aim to provide an increased number and access to indoor basketball facilities for the Canberra community.

“Basketball ACT is committed to a four-pillar facility strategy and have emphasised the need for community-based basketball and multisport indoor facilities in Gungahlin, Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong. The development and expansion of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium is a key first step towards achieving increased facility access for the basketball community, we look forward to partnering with the ACT Government on this project and advocating for continued investment in community based indoor facilities across Canberra.”

The ACT Government has completed some early planning and design work is expected to commence in the coming months.

A tender is likely to be released in early 2025 to undertake this work.

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