Having not hosted a major event since the beginning of 2020, the AIS Arena will receive an $11.4 million refurbishment that will see Canberra’s largest indoor venue reopen by the first half of 2023.
The confirmed funding for the works was announced today by ACT Senator, Zed Seselja, and Commonwealth Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck, following the announcement of a 21 May federal election by Scott Morrison on Sunday.
The AIS Arena was closed to major events in 2020 by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) due to COVID-19.
Since September 2021, part of the venue has been used as a COVID-19 mass vaccination hub.
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.
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.
ACT Senator, Zed Seselja, said many Canberrans would be “thrilled” to see the AIS Arena reopen.
“I have been fighting for this much-needed investment, while engaging with local community organisations and sports bodies who were keen to see the AIS Arena re-opened,” Senator Seselja said.
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.
ACT Senate candidate David Pocock welcomed the funding announcement but noted is the first time the facility has had “any serious money spent on it” since 2016.
“For nearly two years now – almost an entire term of federal parliament – the Federal Government has sat on its hands leaving Canberra without a major indoor venue,” he said.
“It’s taken the threat of potentially losing what has, until now, been considered a ‘safe’ Senate seat here in the ACT to see funding for this project suddenly appear.”
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