Published on : Tuesday, July 10, 2018
The Glenorchy City Council has voted to sell the centre after receiving an unsolicited offer from Melbourne-based company and Hobart Chargers sponsor, HydraPlay.
HydraPlay spokesman, former Tasmanian premier David Bartlett, told ABC Radio Hobart the group is prepared to spend up to $4 million to immediately upgrade the centre. This would be to bring the centre in line with standards for the National Basketball League, ahead of a Tasmanian bid to join the competition. However, the consortium’s plans do not end there — they also want to build a number of public facilities including a marina, and bring at least a dozen more international and national music acts to the centre.
The centre costs Glenorchy Council over $1 million a year in operational and depreciation losses, a heavy price to pay given their current financial woes. Mr Bartlett described the council’s decision to sell off the centre as sensible. Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said the council would now seek public submissions.