Deadline set for the State Government to commit to funding Derwent Entertainment Centre upgrade

A deal on the DEC is on the table, all it needs now is the funding – but the Government has been warned the offer is not on the table indefinitely.

An artist’s impressions of an upgraded Derwent Entertainment Centre.

NEGOTIATIONS are done and dusted between the NBL and the State Government over redeveloping the Derwent Entertainment Centre – now it just comes down to funding.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman said the reality was if the funding for the agreed DEC redevelopment was not signed off by the end of February the door would be shut on the state’s return to the league as well as ending the proposed $200 million development for surrounding Wilkinsons Point.

LIBS URGED TO SHOW URGENCY IN DEC DEAL

He said with the planning permits, quotes, tenders and then the construction as well as the creation of the club and recruitment of coaches, staff and players, any later would rule a Tasmanian team out of the 2021-22 season and result in the opportunity being missed.

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“The main message is fair to say end of February or the door will be shut,” Mr Kestelman told the Mercury.

“However, I would say the Government is running a very good, thorough process to make sure all factors are considered and everything is done in the right way.

“I think right now we are having good conversations with all the parties and everyone understands the timeline and seems optimistic to meet those timelines.”

NBL owner Larry Kestelman says there is a February deadline for the State Government to commit to funding an upgrade of the Derwent Entertainment Centre. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Mr Kestelman said a number of proposals were put forward for the DEC redevelopment from the very basics to a full-scale upgrade that would increase capacity, but he was more than satisfied with the compromised final agreement.

“The [redevelopment funding] figure is definitely settled and we’ve agreed with the Government on which option,” he said.

“There were a few different options to consider, but I won’t put it out there what it is. I had better leave that to them to announce and 100 per cent finalise if they do want to support it.”

Any publicly funded DEC redevelopment would include state, federal and Glenorchy City Council backing adding an extra layer of complexity to the deal.

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Premier Will Hodgman and NBL boss Larry Kestelman at an event launching the NBL Blitz in September. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Premier Will Hodgman said a decision would be made as soon as possible and said public funding could be beneficial to the economy.

“If there are economic benefits and returns to the state that can allow us to further invest into the things that governments need to, into our schools, hospitals and road networks, [then] it’s important that we invest into events and things that do stimulate economic activity,” Mr Hodgman said.

“But we need to obviously balance up expenditures in areas where we can stimulate economic activity, events are one such thing and potentially national sporting teams would of course also have great social and economic benefits for our state.”

Mr Kestelman said there was no deadline set for a Government decision.

“There are no negotiations on our part, we are happy with what Government is considering and I think the ball is in their court to make a decision,” Mr Kestelman said.