Adelaide Entertainment Centre prepares for the 36ers move
A giant LED cube — complete with scoreboard and video playback screens — and specialised court surface will be installed at the Entertainment Centre as it prepares to welcome the Adelaide 36ers.
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A giant LED cube complete with scoreboard and video playback screens hanging over a centre court surface that allows a quick venue turnaround will be installed at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in preparation for first anchor tenant, the Adelaide 36ers.
AEC general manager Phil King said centre management was working to make the basketball team and fans feel at home and — develop a contemporary match-day experience from the moment fans walked through the doors.
“In conjunction with the 36ers, we are doing a comprehensive review of all match-day offerings to ensure they’re tailored to fans’ needs,” he said.
“Activities are currently being undertaken in preparation for welcoming the 36ers to the AEC later this year.
“These include sourcing and purchasing new LED technology, including a giant LED cube – the centrepiece of the event-day experience – along with courtside LED signage.
“The LED cube will be complete with scoreboard and video playback screens.”
Mr King said due diligence was also being conducted on the court surface in terms of the “timing to lay and pull up to ensure quick turnarounds (transforming the AEC from concert mode to basketball mode)”.
Most of the investment is being funded through the capital expenditure budget of the venue.
Other changes include the creation of team lockers and corporate courtside boxes, the purchase of basketball hoops and towers and other basketball-specific equipment, including shot clocks, a scoring system and benches.
Minor upgrades were also being planned for the kitchens on court level to assist with an improved corporate offering to courtside box holders.
In March, the 36ers announced they were leaving their home of 27 years, Findon’s Adelaide Arena, to play at the AEC from next season, which starts around October.
The move to AEC on Port Rd is a step towards bringing basketball into the city like AFL’s move from West Lakes to Adelaide Oval, with the 36ers hoping for a surge in memberships through improved game-day experiences.
The AEC has hosted national and international netball games in recent years, and can accommodate almost 10,000 fans which is 2000 more than Adelaide Arena.
Mr King said concert patronage would not be affected by games schedules.
“We gave the Sixers the dates, which were given to NBL, so we are talking to them about how we plan for events and games,” he said. “It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, and we’ll make sure everyone fits in nicely.”
Adelaide 36ers chief executive Ben Kavenagh said the AEC was the perfect venue for the organisation to evolve and grow as a club.
“Our fans wanted an improved experience and entertainment capabilities that were only possible with a move to a state-of-the-art venue, like the Entertainment Centre,” he said.
“Our staff is working closely with the Adelaide Entertainment to craft a fan experience that exceeds our members and supporters’ expectations.
“There is a real buzz amongst our team about the move to the Entertainment Centre and the excitement is infectious.”
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