New $28m Glenorchy Sports Centre site announced
Sports including basketball and futsal are turning young people away because of a lack of facilities. A new sports centre in southern Tasmania will be a godsend for them.
Tasmania
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A new $28m Glenorchy Sports Centre to be built at Claremont College has been hailed by sports groups who are turning away potential players because of a lack of adequate facilities with some built just after World War II.
Sports and Events Minister Nick Duigan says the centre will include a four-court indoor facility for sports including basketball, netball, volleyball, and futsal, amenities for players, visitors, staff, and volunteers, a multi-purpose space and car parking.
He thanked sporting clubs for “their patience” on the new centre and said a development application would be lodged with Glenorchy City Council next year with the centre expected to open in 2026.
“Increasing community engagement in recreation and sport is a driving force behind this development,” Mr Duigan said.
“Sporting facilities, such as this one, play a vital role in promoting a healthier, more connected community.
“They promote physical activity, which is crucial for maintaining good health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and improving mental well-being.
“The Glenorchy Sports Centre will not only serve Claremont College and the local community, it will also enhance the quality sports facilities across the northern suburbs.”
Mr Duigan said Claremont College’s Principal and School Association have provided their in principle support to co-locate the new centre on an under-utilised area of the school.
Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey said she was “absolutely thrilled” that the centre would be built for people from “all walks of life”.
“After waiting a number of years for this project to come to fruition, it is extremely exciting that it will now be going ahead at Claremont,” she said.
“We know there is huge demand for indoor court space, particularly to cater for junior players.
“Sporting facilities not only help our community lead healthy and active lives, they provide valuable avenues for young people to engage in sporting pursuits and learn valuable skills as part of teams and sporting organisations.
“Claremont offers a raft of benefits including accessibility for the northern areas of Glenorchy, links to public transport, connection to Claremont College, and the space to meet current and future demand.”
Elise Devereux of Netball Tasmania said an indoor facility was “amazing and incredibly important”.
“Netball participation in the state is absolutely booming and hopefully we will crack the 10,000 mark soon,” she said.
Bob Gordon, president of Football Tasmania, said futsal players had been turned away for the past two years because of a lack of facilities “so this is going to be great”.
“Players are using facilities that were built just after World War II and we are the same as basketball and we really need an upgrade and the players are looking forward to it,” he said.
Rodney Graham, operations manager with the Glenorchy Basketball Association said popularity in basketball had increased 20 per cent.
“We are turning families and players away,” he said.
“The basketball world do not have any facilities of stature.
“The location is important and there is room to expand because we need more than four courts but this a fantastic start.”
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