Kingborough Council votes to hand over land for JackJumpers High Performance Centre

Land has been secured to build the new JackJumpers high performance centre. But there are still hoops to jump through, including finding a new home for another club.

Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats during game two of the NBL semi-final series between Tasmania JackJumpers and Perth Wildcats at MyState Bank Arena, on March 11, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The JackJumpers are a step closer to getting a high performance training centre after the Kingborough Council agreed to sign over land in the Kingborough Sports Precinct for the build.

The council voted unanimously on Monday to transfer the 5000 sqm of land at 10 Kingston View Drive to the state government.

The Department of State Growth will still need to lodge and receive approval for a development application for the project.

New NBL Next Star Roman Siulepa works out with the Tasmania JackJumpers. Pictures: JackJumpers Media

“I’m very excited by the fact we’re going to have the current reigning NBL premiership team permanently based here in Kingborough,” Mayor Paula Wriedt said during Monday’s meeting.

Deputy Mayor Clare Glade-Wright said the arrangement would be of “tremendous benefit to the community”

“I think we’ll be really proud to host the JackJumpers, I know they’re already training with us,” she said.

“I appreciate their influence in getting people into active healthy lifestyles.

“The freeing up of courts at the sports centre will be a huge relief to those who are currently feeling constrained. I understand pickle ball is one of the fastest growing sports in our community.”

Handing over the land will mean the a new space will need to be found for the Hobart Remote Controlled Car Club, which is currently occupying the site.

“I am aware staff have been actively working with the club, they’ve met with them and spoken to them more than once and we have been searching for an alternative location for them,” Ms Wriedt said.

Kingborough mayor Paula Wriedt at Kingston on Monday, July 15, 2024.

“It’s likely that will be outside of Kingborough but it’s my understanding the club members don't live in the area, they live in other suburbs and have been coming down here since that facility was established.”

The council’s governance and recreation director Daniel Smee said there were three options being looked at for the club.

“One is the existing radio control facility in Goodwood, this is too small for the particular style of remote control vehicle that is used at Kingborough … with an expansion of that track, that could occur,” he said.

“We’ve looked at an option at MyState arena.

“There’s a track at Orielton that may be able to accommodate the club.”

The state government will be expected to pay rates at the Kingston site.