Canberra’s revamped AIS Arena counts down to reopening

The AIS Arena in the Canberra suburb of Bruce is counting down to reopening after a near two-year refurbishment program.

The ACT’s premier indoor sporting and concert venue was closed in early 2020 due to several fire and event safety issues. Now, as reported by ACT-based publication RiotAct, Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Kieren Perkins told a Tourism Leaders Forum at the National Convention Centre on Tuesday that the Arena was extremely close to being reopening after a $15 million in funding from the Federal Government.

Perkins advised “there is no doubt that the Canberra community not only deserves but needs to have our facilities up and running again.

“We’re looking forward very soon to announcing an official opening date and getting activity on that site in the coming months.”

Perkins advised that all seating, air conditioning and lighting upgrades have been completed, and new electronic signing and boards had been installed.

With reopening approaching, Perkins said the AIS had been overwhelmed with inquiries about using the 4800-seat arena, and what had been interesting was the diversity of interest.

He noted “people are already wanting to know if they can get in and do things, from children’s concerts, sport, dinners and the like, and so it is a multi-purpose facility.”

When complete, the venue will be home to the Canberra Capitals women’s basketball team that has been without a proper home base for four years.

The Arena has also hosted concerts featuring some of the world’s top artists over the years.

Perkins said there was still work to do to finalise some high-level fire compliance, but the AIS was very confident that by the summer sporting season, it would be operating at full capacity.

Perkins said the refreshed facility would offer a much better experience for audiences, sports people and performers.

The Junckers flooring being installed at the venue by Maxwoord Technology was originally used during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Image: The AIS Arena prior to its closure.