Election news – important update: Boosting basketball courts for the North
More indoor basketball courts are coming to Northern Tasmania under a re-elected Liberal Government.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said four additional indoor courts would be built at the Northern Suburbs Recreation Hub site at Mowbray.
“It’s exciting to hear the $43.6 million jointly funded facility has surpassed 50 per cent completion,” the Premier said.
“To address increased demand for indoor courts for sports such as basketball and netball, $18.8 million will be invested under the Liberals to deliver four additional indoor courts at the Hub.
“That will take the total capacity to 11 indoor courts. Four of those for netball, four for basketball and three multi-use courts.
“Under this plan, the community will benefit from extra courts as well as around 50 additional car parking spots and all necessary accessibility requirements met.
“The additional courts and parking spaces will be funded through a redistribution of existing funds from the 2024-25 budget.
“Our Liberal team is aware of the high demand for indoor sports infrastructure across the state and is delivering or supporting several projects that will help to address this need.
“Our priority here is to ensure the best outcome for sporting organisations in northern Tasmania.
“This is an important investment in sporting facilities, and it is critical we get it right.”
The Elphin Sports Centre needs attention, which is why we are completing accessibility and other necessary upgrades.
“Elphin Sports Centre has served the northern community for many years and caters for a wide range of users,” the Premier said.
Launceston Basketball Association President Craig Gibson said the Association welcomed the commitment to deliver four purpose built basketball courts at the Hub.
“Having access and management of courts for our sport will provide us with a genuine home, as well as some of the flexibility required to provide our sport in a meaningful way to the huge numbers of keen basketballers in our region,” Mr Gibson said.
“Given the Recreation Hub is already in full construction mode, we expect that these courts can be delivered in a far shorter timeframe than other proposals and finally provide some relief to the critical shortage of infrastructure basketball has suffered with for so long.”
A majority Liberal Government is the only way to keep Tasmania moving forward with certainty, stability, and efficiency.
“Let’s get on with it,” the Premier said.
“Let’s finish the job for Tasmania.”
Latest videos showing progress of construction:
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering the Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub (the Hub) at Mowbray in Launceston.
The Hub is funded through a partnership between the Tasmanian Government, Australian Government and the City of Launceston, who have jointly committed $43.6 million over the next two years to support this important project.
The Hub will deliver Tasmania’s largest multi-purpose community sporting and recreation facility with a building area of over 10,000 square metres of usable indoor space and additional outdoor activities.
Increasing community engagement in recreation and sport is a driving force behind this development, providing positive effects on people’s health and social lives. The space will also assist in addressing Launceston’s lack of indoor sports facilities.
The Hub aims to enhance social and economic outcomes for the area, providing access to local community, sport, and recreation facilities and programs in the northern suburbs and offer residents a safe location to meet.
The Hub will include:
- Four designated indoor courts for netball operated by the Northern Tasmania Netball Association (NTNA).
- Three indoor multi-use courts will be available for use for basketball, volleyball, futsal, table tennis, pickleball, wheelchair sports and many other sporting and community recreational activities and will help to address the current court shortfall.
- Rock climbing, gym, boxing and weightlifting facilities including an outdoor activities area.
- A designated gymnastics area to provide a wide range of programs for people of all ages.
- Café, commercial kitchen, and spectator amenities (grandstand seating) with change room facilities and onsite parking.
- Youth engagement, community education and counselling areas.
- Multipurpose office space that can be used for meetings, training and administration.
- Open space for community gatherings of up to 800 people to come together offering diverse services and opportunities.
- Safe pedestrian access off Invermay Road and connectivity to the Hub from Mowbray Heights Primary School.
- Electric charging facilities for vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters.
For more information, keep an eye on this page on my website or check out the Infrastructure Tasmania site.
Design concept video:
