A-Team sought to run the state’s major sporting facilities

The state government is on the hunt for some big players to head up Tasmania’s stadium developments. See the jobs up for grabs >>>

THE state government has enlisted a Sydney executive recruiting firm to find a leadership team for Stadiums Tasmania.

SRI Executive has won a $150,000 tender to provide expertise in executive recruitment in the sports industry or major venue management field to assist it to recruit a Chairperson/ Executive Chairperson, Board Members and Chief Executive Officer for Stadiums Tasmania.

Stadiums Tasmania, which was an election promise by the Liberals, is a new statutory authority to oversee the state’s major sporting venues.

The state government says the organisation is needed to centralise the ownership, management and future capital development of major stadiums.

Stadiums Tasmania will supervise developments occurring in stadiums across the state’s three regions, including a proposed new stadium in Hobart.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: General view during the round six AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Sydney Swans at UTAS Stadium on April 25, 2022 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The state government has allocated $1.5m so far to develop plans for a stadium at the Hobart Regatta Grounds.

In May Right to Information documents provided to Labor revealed the state government’s estimated $750m price tag for the stadium was a “ballpark figure” and the true cost was likely to be higher.

In the state’s north, A Victorian architecture firm recently won a $7.4m contract to lead the redevelopment of Launceston’s UTAS Stadium.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan in Hobart after meeting to discuss the possibility of a Tasmanian based AFL team. Picture: Brett Stubbs

The state government has committed $65m to the project, which will have an estimated cost of $200m.

The government is also spending $25 million to upgrade the Dial Regional Sports Complex in Penguin.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has said Tasmania’s bid for an AFL team would require a new state-of-the art stadium.