Premier says work is ready to begin on $40 million makeover of the DEC but green light not given

The funds are accounted for, work is ready to start on transforming the DEC — and time is running out to have it ready — but the premier wants more details from NBL headquarters.

Artists impressions for the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) for games with the NBL.

THE clock is ticking on the window for a Tasmanian team and its home court to be ready to join the NBL for the 2021-22 season despite the Derwent Entertainment Centre refurbishment ready to commence.

The funds for the $40 million upgrade of the DEC are allocated as part of the state government’s infrastructure program announced two weeks ago, with premier Peter Gutwein yesterday declaring “we are ready to begin work”.

Artists impressions for the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) for games with the NBL.

Mr Gutwein said he still awaiting more information from NBL owner Larry Kestelman on how the league will look in the coming seasons following the COVID-19 fallout.

However Kestelman said if negotiations continued to drag out, he could not guarantee a team would be adequately prepared.

“We are comforted by the premier’s reassurance that the refurbishment of the DEC has been provided for in the State’s budget,” Kestelman said after talks were put on the backburner for two months following the announcement of an in-principle agreement in February.

“It now comes down to whether we still have sufficient time to complete that refurbishment with enough lead time before the 2021/22 NBL season for a team to be adequately prepared to compete to its full potential.

NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman and Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein at the announcement the league’s 10th team would be based in Tasmania. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“To do so would require both the NBL and the Tasmanian Government to push extremely hard, both in terms of having the infrastructure ready on time and recruiting an exceptional team both on and off the court.

DEC DEAL IS A MUST HAVE

“Certainly we are a lot more confident than we were say four weeks ago, but that’s not to say we can guarantee that Tasmania’s team will happen for the 2021/22 season.

“However, that should become a lot clearer when hopefully the Government responds to us in the next few days.”

Aside from the DEC upgrade, the landmark deal struck between the parties included a new $20 million indoor multisport facility and an annual $2 million sponsorship of the team from the government, with Kestelman to award the state the 10th NBL licence and build a $150 million shopping, hotel and restaurant precinct at adjacent Wilkinsons Point.

An independent report said the project would create 1200 jobs and bring $100 million of economic activity to Hobart’s northern suburbs.

“I made it perfectly clear in terms of the economic and fiscal update I delivered a couple of weeks ago, the funding for the upgrade of the DEC is in those bottom line numbers,” Mr Gutwein said.

“We are ready to begin work on that when it is appropriate, but we are working through with Mr Kestelman at the moment on the final arrangements and importantly the obligations that each party would have.

“I think what taxpayers would want would be a guarantee that if we upgrade the DEC, that in 12 months time we will have a team.”