AIS Arena to reopen in 2023 with $11 million upgrade

Canberra’s largest indoor sports venue, AIS Arena, will re-open next year, after funding was announced to fix critical issues.

The venue has been closed since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and while it has been used as a mass vaccination clinic, it hasn’t hosted major events in two years due to concerns about its poor fire safety.

Works are set to be carried out over the coming months, including fixing up lighting, fire safety systems, lifts, mechanical services and electrical systems. There will also be improvements to stadium seating, including the replacement of seating.

AIS Arena, which opened in 1981, has a seating capacity of 5,000 and hosts the Canberra Capitals WNBL team, occasional NBL and Super Netball games, and concerts.

ACT Liberal senator Zed Seselja announced $11.4 million in funding for a safety upgrade which will allow the venue to re-open and once again host sports events in front of crowds.

The ACT and federal governments have spent years arguing over who is responsible for repairing the stadium, which is part of the Australian Institute of Sport campus.

The issue left the city’s only professional basketball team without a home, forcing them to play matches at the 1700-seat National Convention Centre.

Senator Seselja heralded the Commonwealth's decision as a "big win for Canberrans".

"Whilst during COVID those sorts of things weren't possible and, of course, because of the state of the arena they weren't possible, it's great that we're able to deliver this funding to make sure that can happen."

Senator Seselja said the upgrade should take six to eight months to complete.