A state-of-the-art indoor sport facility heads up University of Canberra’s (UC) new 2021-2026 Sport Strategy, which outlines their plan to become Australia’s leading university for women in sport, integrity, and sports science.
UC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Paddy Nixon said the Sport Strategy is a “real opportunity” for the university to build on its “spectacular sporting heritage”.
“Sport already connects UC through our academic, research and existing sport infrastructure and this strategy will both enhance what currently exists and embrace our plans for the future.”
“We plan to take the lead in women’s sport, sport integrity and justice, and to foster community participation in sport by using the knowledge we gain through our research to enhance and develop sport in young, upcoming athletes.”
The University will leverage the development of UC Sports Hub 2, outlined in the recently launched UC Campus Master Plan, to attract sporting partnerships and events, support leading education and research partnerships and create commercial revenue opportunities.
The precinct plans outlined in the Campus Master Plan include construction of a new arena and a multi-court sports centre.
UC Sports Hub 1, where the Brumbies are currently based out of, was built eight years ago.
With the UC Capitals currently without a fit-for-purpose home following the permanent closure of the AIS Arena last year, Mr Nixon said the University will “really push the opportunity” to build a world-class indoor sport facility.
The University is currently in negotiations to receive Federal and ACT Government funding for the project, with Mr Nixon planning to have the arena built in the next “three or four years”.
“The timeframe is dependent on funding propositions,” he said, “We’ve got to try to work out how we can co-fund this to deliver it for the ACT.”
University Director of Sport Carrie Graf said providing a suitable high-performance facility for the UC Capitals is “very exciting” and long overdue.
“Right now, we’re standing in the Capitals high performance facility; a 40-year-old, barely high school standard gym,” Graff said.
“It will provide Canberra and the region with a facility that currently doesn’t exist.
“The AIS Arena is no longer open for business, the National Convention Centre isn’t suitable for many sports, so for it to be based here at the University would be monumental.”
Until the facility is built however, finding a suitable venue for the Capitals will be a “challenge for the organisation”, said Ms Graf, with the team having to massage their fixture around playing matches out of the National Convention Centre.
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