After well over a decade of lobbying, the long-awaited expansion of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium will become a reality, with the ACT Government confirming a $37.5 million investment to add three new courts to the existing facility. 

As announced to the basketball community at the Stadium on Thursday, the redevelopment will increase the number of indoor courts in Belconnen from four to seven, with the centrepiece of the upgrade being a convertible show court with retractable seating for up to 1,800 spectators for elite-level competition, and to enable Canberra to host higher-level national tournaments. 

Additional change rooms and toilet facilities for players, officials, and spectators, increased car parking, and installation of solar panels and batteries will also be key features of the expansion. 

Key quotes from Thursday’s announcement: 

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sport and Recreation, Yvette Berry: 

“This facility has been here more than thirty years, and basketball has been growing with now more than 14,000 participants and particularly here on the north side. 

“$37.5 million invested into this sport, the biggest indoor facility in the ACT, and having the best possible facilities will allow young players just starting in basketball to aspire to play for the Canberra Gunners and Nationals, or even the University of Canberra Capitals one day.  

“This place also provides lots of opportunities for social basketball, for people to just hang out and have a shot together, and that’s what this expanded facility will encourage more of.” 

Basketball ACT CEO Nicole Bowles: 

“The basketball community have been a key driver behind the need for more indoor courts here in Canberra and the ACT, and we greatly appreciate all the efforts of so many people over the years that have contributed to make this day possible.  

“Over the years we’ve seen a booming interest in the sport and that’s meant that the facilities that we’ve got are at capacity. We have been grateful to have venues like schools come online for us, but to have another space we’re able to extend and have a much more community-centred hub for basketball to participate in is critical for us in the future.” 

Treasurer, Chris Steel: 

“When you make an investment of this size you want to guarantee that the facilities will be well used, and I think we can guarantee that in basketball because we’re seeing growing take-up of this sport throughout Canberra.  

“More than 14,000 players means that we do need to invest in new facilities to support basketball and having a major hub here with Basketball ACT will make a real difference on the north side.  

“We are absolutely sure that this investment is going into a facility that will be incredibly well used, and the 75% increase in court capacity will provide the facilities that this growing sport needs into the future as we continue to invest in other areas and in other indoor sporting facilities in the capital.” 

Planning work on the Belconnen Basketball Stadium redevelopment will continue in the second half of this year, with construction timelines to be confirmed as the project progresses through planning and procurement.