AIS Arena
Multipurpose arena in Canberra, Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AIS Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Canberra, Australia, located on the grounds of the Australian Institute of Sport. It was built in 1981 and was originally named the National Indoor Sports Centre.
The Palace | |
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| Former names | Indoor Sports Stadium (planning/construction) National Indoor Sports Centre (1981–95) |
|---|---|
| Address | 26 Leverrier Street Bruce, Australian Capital Territory |
| Coordinates | 35°14′52″S 149°6′4″E |
| Owner | Australian Institute of Sport |
| Capacity | 4,200
Concerts[1]
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| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1979 |
| Opened | 26 January 1981 |
| Renovated | 2016 & 2024 |
| Construction cost | $6.3 million ($33.5 million in 2022 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Philip Cox & Partners |
| Structural engineer | Bond James Laron & Murtagh |
| Services engineer | SRG Limited |
| General contractor | John Holland Group |
| Tenants | |
| Canberra Cannons (NBL) (1981–2003) Australian Institute of Sport (WNBL) (1981–2012) UC Capitals (WNBL) (1984–2020; 2024–present) AIS Canberra Darters (CBT) (2003–2007) | |
History
Summarize
Perspective
The arena was designed by Philip Cox & Partners and the main contractor was John Holland Group. Architectural features include a 1200 tonne suspended concrete panel roof supported by 12 steel masts and 36 mainstay cables. The roof has a span of 100.4 metres. The stadium is partly set into the ground to reduce its scale and to establish a visual connection between the landscape and the mast and cable structure of the roof.[3]
The arena has been home to the Canberra Cannons of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Australian Institute of Sport WNBL team of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). While the Cannons were playing at the arena it was known as "The Palace". The arena has hosted Australian Boomers and Australian Opals international basketball games, as well as the Australian Netball Diamonds. The arena has also hosted the Canberra Roller Derby League and many concerts.
In 2014, the AIS invested in a $200,000 removable floor to help it tap into new markets to increase revenue by attracting more sports, concerts, ice skating and even indoor equestrian events at AIS Arena.[4]
In 2015 and 2016, the venue received a $9.4 million upgrade, with the refurbishment involving better seating and windows. It forced the Canberra Capitals to find an alternative home venue for the end of the 2015–16 WNBL season.[4]
The arena was shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its poor fire safety. It was later used as a mass vaccination clinic.[5] The arena received $15 million worth of repair work and re-opened in 2024.[6][7]
For the 2024–25 WNBL season, the Capitals returned to the AIS Arena for the first time since the 2019–20 season.[8]
See also
References
External links
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