The Australian Sports Commission is "continuing an extensive review of its Canberra-based facilities, sparking speculation about the future" of Canberra Stadium, the Australian Institute of Sport Arena and the AIS pool, according to Chris Dutton of the CANBERRA TIMES. But ASC CEO Kate Palmer said that the work is to identify the "most sensible approach" to ensure all assets are in a "useable condition to foster a high-performance campus." The AIS Arena "will remain as a multi-purpose venue after the commission board opted against reinventing the 35-year-old stadium." Volleyball Australia said that it was willing to invest A$1M ($770,000) over a four-year period to create a "Volleydome" home, adding that its proposal "would have allowed for concerts and other sports to continue using the arena." But VA officials said that they are now re-evaluating Canberra as the sport's base "as they search for an upgraded facility" to house its center of excellence program and men's and women's national teams. Speculation includes the ASC considering an option to sell Canberra Stadium, the AIS Arena and the AIS to the ACT government. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said in April that he "would be keen to buy Canberra Stadium if it was for sale" (CANBERRA TIMES, 6/29).
