A new four-court basketball facility will be built in Hobart if the Liberals are re-elected, with the party promising $12.5 million towards the $25 million project.
The announcement comes as Tasmania continues to struggle with a shortage of basketball courts, with demand surging off the back of the JackJumpers’ NBL success.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the New Town Bay facility would be delivered in partnership with Hobart City Council if his government is returned to office on Saturday.
“We have so many more young people putting down their mobile phones, picking up a basketball, increasing by some 11% in recent times,” he said.
Basketball Tasmania CEO Ben Smith said the state is currently 32 courts short and that figure is expected to blow out to 40 over the next decade.
“Access to community basketball courts is the number one driver of participation,” Smith said.
“The more we can get these courts built and online, we know that kids will come and play in their masses.”
The lack of facilities is also putting pressure on local clubs. The Hobart Phoenix Basketball Association is set to lose 30% of its training space when Swisherr closes in May next year.
“That facility is one of the few that we have access to that has the lowerable hoops for our under-10s,” said board director Matt McIver.
“So this is fantastic that we’re getting some headway on a more sustainable long-term footing for the club moving forward.”
The Liberals say they will seek a federal contribution to help fund the remaining $12.5 million needed for the facility.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the council had been working closely with local clubs to find long-term solutions to the shortage of courts.
“After many years of lobbying, we’re pleased to see this commitment from the Tasmanian Liberal Party, which recognises the urgent need for more basketball courts in our city,” she said.
“This contribution is a significant start towards making this facility a reality.”
MLC Bec Thomas said the courts must be delivered as soon as possible and called on Labor to match the commitment.
“As the local representative for Elwick, I’ve been persistently advocating for increased investment in grassroots sporting facilities, particularly in Glenorchy and New Town where existing facilities are ageing and stretched to capacity,” she said.
“This investment will make a real difference to local families and clubs.”
