Federal Government commits to upgrades at Canberra's AIS Arena

After a lengthy period of uncertainty over its future, Canberra’s largest indoor venue, the AIS Arena, has secured a funding commitment of $11.4 million for upgrades from the Federal Government.

With the ACT and Federal Governments having been in dispute for several over who is responsible for repairing the venue - part of the Australian Institute of Sport campus - an announcement this morning confirmed that the Federal Government will fund the “critical upgrades”, with the money having been set aside in the recent Federal budget and not being conditional on next month's election outcome.

The venue, which has effectively been out of use for two years, was closed to major events in 2020 by the Australian Sports Commission and since September 2021 has seen part of its space used as a COVID-19 mass vaccination hub.

When operational in hosted concerts, the Canberra Capitals women's basketball team and community sport but concerns about its poor fire safety arrangements had prevented public access for major events.

As a result, the Capitals had been forced to play home fixtures at other venues in the ACT.

Commenting on the funding, Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the investment of $11.4 million would see sporting events such as basketball and netball, concerts and other large community events return in the first half of 2023.

Senator Colbeck advised “the AIS Arena has had a community presence in Canberra for over 40 years and this major investment will see the ACT community come back together after a difficult period.

“Canberra based organisations, including the University of Canberra Capitals WNBL team, schools, universities, local sporting organisations and business groups, have not been able to access the venue for over two years now.”

Basketball ACT Chief Executive David Simpson welcomed the news as a chance for the Capitals to return to their "real home", noting “it goes back to the '80s when the Cannons were playing.

"The AIS Arena was the place to be. We'd love to see that again - filling up the stadium week in, week out."

Works will be carried out over coming months including fixing up lighting, fire safety systems, lifts, mechanical services and electrical systems. There will also be improvements to stadium seating including the replacement of seating.

The ASC, which owns and operates the AIS Arena, will work closely with the ACT Government to ensure the mass vaccination hub continues to be available for the community, while also preparing the venue for reopening in 2023 in a timely manner.

Scoping and planning works have already commenced in preparation for remediation works, which will be carried out over coming months.

Major venue provision in Canberra, including a potential new multi-use arena in the central area, is emerging as a Federal election issue.

Image: The AIS Arena.