Plans for a new stadium; a redeveloped theatre centre; a new Convention Centre; and EPIC redeveloped are among the ACT Government’s projects in the Entertainment, Arts and Sports update to the 2019 ACT Infrastructure Plan, published today.

Many of these buildings are decades old, and at capacity, the ACT Government states; Canberra’s growing population, expected to reach half a million people within three years, needs bigger and modern infrastructure.

“The Entertainment, Arts and Sports Infrastructure Plan Update delivers better places and spaces for elite and community sport,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation, said.

Arts minster Tara Cheyne considers it “another demonstration of the government’s ambition for Canberra to be Australia’s arts capital”.

Stadium

For several years, there have been demands for Canberra to get a new sports stadium to replace the Canberra GIO Stadium, Bruce, built in 1977. The NRL, earlier this month, for instance, said facilities and changerooms were not suitable.

• ‘Sub-par’ GIO Stadium facilities costing Canberra opportunity (20 June)
• NRL calls for upgrades to Canberra’s outdated stadium (11 May)

This week, the ACT Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Sports Commission (the owner of Canberra GIO Stadium). The government will commission a $300,000 study analysing options to redevelop or replace Canberra Stadium within the AIS Campus at Bruce.

The government said this was the first step in building a modern, 30,000-seat stadium. The MoU will allow the government to and the ASC to enter discussions.

“This is an important step, and aligns with the discussions the ASC is having with the Australian Government regarding the revitalisation of the high-performance sport facilities at the AIS precinct,” Kieren Perkins, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, said.

“The AIS has a deep-seated value to the Canberra community, and we look forward to engaging in discussions with the ACT Government to ensure it is a vibrant precinct available for sport, entertainment, and community use.”

The government stated that a new, or significantly enhanced, Canberra Stadium would have undercover seating, bring spectators closer to the playing field, and improve change rooms for players. It might also encourage more fans from around Australia to visit Canberra to see their teams play away matches, and equip the ACT to host more international sporting events.

The government is considering three options: building a new stadium on a different site in the AIS precinct, the current stadium operating while the new stadium was being built; demolishing the stadium and building a new stadium on the site; or staged, significant upgrades to the stadium.

Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) will be a fallback site for the stadium should the government and the ASC not be able to reach a decision that satisfies both parties.

EPIC itself will be redeveloped to maintain its status as Canberra’s festival hub and large format event space. The government intends to refurbish Fitzroy Pavilion to host big community and multicultural events. Design is underway, and the construction will be completed within the next 18 months.

The government will further develop Manuka Oval as the premier site for cricket and Australian rules football in Canberra. In preparation for the Oval’s 100^th birthday in 2024, the government intends to install a new video replay board; add new amenities blocks; and replace turf to maintain its first-class pitch to internationals standards.

$11.8 million in funding has been provided for enhancements and capital upgrades to the GIO Canberra Stadium, EPIC, and Manuka Oval.

The Canberra Business Chamber, the NRL, and Senator David Pocock have argued that the stadium (combined with a new convention centre) should be in Civic.

• Business chamber backs call for new Canberra stadium, convention centre (5 December 2022)
• Pocock calls for joint funded Canberra convention centre and stadium precinct (12 March 2022)

Theatre

The government also intends to make Canberra the emerging cultural, arts and entertainment hub of Australia.

Canberra Theatre will be redeveloped, to become what the government hopes will be a world-class destination for artists and audiences in the heart of Civic’s culture district, able to mount larger touring performances, musicals, contemporary music, and theatre.

• Arts capital or halls for hire? Drama over government’s new arts policy (29 July)
• Designers chosen for Canberra Theatre redevelopment (11 May)

“Canberra has been missing out on many major touring artists because we lack an iconic live music venue such as the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney and Palais Theatre in Melbourne,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

“It’s time for our city to have its own iconic live music venue in the city centre, and the Government will start the detail planning and design for the project.”

Canberra Theatre, built in 1965, can only hold 200 performances each year, and is operating at capacity, the government states. Mr Barr said it was the best in the country when it was built, but that is no longer the case.

A new 2,000-seat theatre building, with a bigger stage, for major performances, will be built; the Playhouse will be refurbished; and the Courtyard Studio will be expanded to accommodate a wider variety of performances and large-scale rehearsals. The Canberra Theatre will become a more flexible space, able to host a broader variety of performances, concerts, and events.

The ACT Government has committed $33.6 million in funding for detailed design and community consultation over the next two years. Construction will start in 2024–25. The estimated total cost is $250 to $500 million.

National Convention Centre

The National Convention Centre, built in 1989, is also operating at full capacity. The government intends to build a new convention centre, which they envisage would be a premier destination for business events, support Canberra as a knowledge economy, create jobs in the visitor economy, and enhance Canberra’s reputation.

Stage 1 would include a new indoor entertainment pavilion that could hold at least 7,500 people, possibly co-located with the new theatre centre, and  host touring artists, exhibitions, events, sporting events, and performances. It will incorporate an outdoor plaza with food and beverage offerings. The second stage would develop a full Convention Centre Precinct.

“Prioritising the entertainment pavilion will be great for audiences, artists, and arts workers,” Ms Cheyne said. “It will continue our development as a vibrant global city and enhance the night-time experience.”

Kingston Arts Precinct

The Kingston Arts Precinct, announced 20 years ago, is closer to fruition. The ACT Government has provided $78 million to construct the new home for visual arts in the ACT.

It will include a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art space, and be home to six leading visual organisations and resident artists, and a creative program. There will be an outdoor event space for 5,000 people, 2 km² of retail space, accommodation for visiting artists, a gallery, workshops, meeting rooms, and a theatrette.

• Founding Strategy for Kingston Arts Precinct released (1 September 2022)

Community sport

The ACT Government is working with Basketball ACT to expand and upgrade the Belconnen Basketball Stadium to help meet growing participation rates. Two years ago, the sports organisation complained that there was not enough room for the sport to expand.

• Not enough facilities, say ACT sports associations (17 June 2021)

“In addition to the sporting infrastructure outlined in this Update,” Ms Berry said, “the ACT Government has also started working with local clubs and peak sporting bodies to identify potential sport and recreation infrastructure projects across Canberra. 

“This will contribute to a comprehensive plan that strengthens and develops sport and active recreation in the ACT over the next 10 years.”