ACT Government Hoping For Clarity On Future Of Canberra Stadium

The ACT government "hopes to get clarity" on the future of Canberra Stadium at a series of meetings which "could pave the way for a deal with the Australian Sports Commission," according to Chris Dutton of the CANBERRA TIMES. The commission is "in the middle of an asset review and the development of a national sports plan, with the findings to be detailed later this year." One option for the commission could be to sell Canberra Stadium, the AIS Arena and the AIS pool to the government "given it is the main hirer of all three venues." ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said that the government is "willing to buy Canberra Stadium, the AIS Arena and the AIS pool for the right price." The cost of a deal would be a "major sticking point" and the government would "consider bulldozing the precinct" to develop the land for a new A$300M-A$400M ($236.5M-$315.4M) stadium in Civic. The government pays A$350,000 ($275,940) per year to rent Canberra Stadium for Super Rugby and National Rugby League matches (CANBERRA TIMES, 8/9).