Page 1832 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 June 2022
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ACT, renovating and reopening the AIS is long overdue. When the arena was closed in 2020, it left Australia's most successful sports team, the Canberra Capitals, and many other sports teams, without a large venue to play in. I have raised the future of the AIS with every single sports minister since I have been in this role, and when the decision was made to close it without notice in 2020, I had multiple meetings and correspondence with former Minister Colbeck and the Sports Commission to get a resolution for the arena. Now with the new federal government, this work can get done.
Not only will it provide a place for the Capitals and the Giants to play, but the arena is also a central part of Canberra's events and entertainment scene. These additional investments on the local level will provide a boost to participation and access to spaces in the medium to long term.
The ACT government continues to work with the University of Canberra on their vision, the University of Canberra has been an integral part of the Canberra Capitals and boost support and investment for basketball in the ACT. Investment in Canberra’s tennis infrastructure is welcomed in a sport that has seen increased growth which has, of course, been inspired by our incredible Aussie stars like Ash Barty, Dylan Alcott and Canberran Nick Kyrgios.
With more courts and better availability of courts through the very successful book-a-court system, tennis has never been more accessible. The commitments from the federal government, coupled with the ACT's commitments around expansions and improvements to tennis infrastructure in Gungahlin and Woden will see more court time for players across Canberra.
These investments will improve the provision of sports facilities for our elite team sporting teams and all players across the ACT.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, how will these investments connect with the ACT government's commitments to sports infrastructure?
MS BERRY: I thank Mr Pettersson for his question. The ACT government has been delivering on sporting infrastructure priorities for the community with these new investments from the Albanese Labor government, these are most welcomed and they are a number of projects completed or underway that I want to highlight that support overall sports infrastructure in the ACT.
In terms of our pools, the new $36 million award-winning Stromlo Pool opened in 2020. I encourage anyone who has not had a chance to get up there and check it out, it is quite a remarkable building with a 50-metre pool and program pool, leisure and toddler pools, as well as a splash park. The facility also has a dedicated gym and crèche, and some of the best views in the ACT.
In addition to commitments at the Woden Creek Tennis Club, progress on the Amaroo Tennis Centre is continuing. This 10-court facility will be a welcome addition to the tennis facilities on the northside. We saw the recent funding which I have talked about earlier, with the North Woden Tennis Club, and work is continuing, of course, on the
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