Closed for four years, since the start of the pandemic, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Arena will soon re-open, following a $15 million refurbishment, the federal government announced today.

“It’s been a missing piece of Canberra community life,” finance minister Senator Katy Gallagher said. “It’s important for little people in Canberra and big people, and many of us as long-term Canberrans have a lot of memories of this place: good memories of sporting events, concerts, even dinners…”

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) closed the AIS to major events in 2020, due to COVID-19, and turned it into a vaccination hub.

A proposal last year to move the Australian Institute of Sport to Queensland caused consternation amongst local politicians, but the federal government decided against the move.

The refurbishment includes new seats, lighting, and air-conditioning, and a new floor so games can be played all year round, sports minister Anika Wells said.

“The AIS Arena has hosted many iconic sporting and community events over the past 40 years, and now these upgrades mean it can host even more events for everyone to enjoy,” Ms Wells said.

“The new look AIS Arena is able to host a wide range of sporting events catering for able and para sport from the grassroots to élite, as well as community events.”

The Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships open ceremony will be held in August; both the Uni Sport National Championships and the Skipping Australia National Championships in September; and the ICN Body Building World Championships in November.

The ASC hopes to hold Women’s National Basketball League matches, and is in discussions with the University of Canberra Capitals.

The federal government announced $249.7 million for the ASC to revitalise the AIS, and $10 million to develop a Bruce Precinct Masterplan.