GAME CENTRE
The deadline to submit your feedback on the proposal for the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC) is Monday, November 11. This is your chance to help shape the future of indoor sports in our region. Below are some suggested messages to include in your submission, but we encourage you to share your own personal story about why a new facility is urgently needed:
Out-dated and no longer fit for purpose facility
The current facility used by Newcastle Basketball and other indoor sports is over 55 years old and outdated, with ongoing issues like water damage and slippery floors due to a leaking roof. This not only poses safety risks but also disrupts events and limits the capacity to support sports like Badminton, Futsal, and Netball, which lack adequate indoor spaces in the region. Years of under-investment have left local sports groups without proper facilities. The indoor sports of the Newcastle region have suffered from significant under-investment for decades, and now is the time to correct that imbalance.
New facility will increase accessibility to more diverse range of groups
The proposed High-Performance Indoor Sports Centre (HISC) will provide inclusive, accessible spaces for people with disabilities and those from multicultural backgrounds to engage in indoor sports. Without such a facility, participation rates for these groups are about 50% lower than their potential. The new facility will help address physical inactivity, particularly in underrepresented communities, and support healthier lifestyles. With projected population growth in the region, the HISC is a timely investment to meet future demand and promote greater community engagement and well-being.
The economic benefits of the new facility will be lost to the region if it isn’t constructed
The Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC) is expected to attract 35,000 visitors annually for special events, boosting the local economy, particularly within the Newcastle LGA. One-third of visitors will come from outside the area, spending an average of $144 each. The project will create 260 construction jobs (115 direct) and 91 operational jobs (52 direct). Additionally, relocating Newcastle Basketball will free up the current facility site for redevelopment, supporting the Broadmeadow Place Strategy.
Social Benefits to the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre
The proposed facility will offer greater access to indoor sports in a safe, welcoming environment, including opportunities for older adults to stay active. It will foster stronger social networks and community cohesion among participants, volunteers, and supporters. The HISC will improve the health and well-being of over 600,000 local and regional visitors, including children, families, diverse cultural groups, seniors, and people with disabilities, while promoting social engagement and inclusivity.
To read more about the proposal, click here for the HISC Project Summary, from November 2024.
To make a submission in support of the SSDA for the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, please click here.
Thank you for your support in bringing our new stadium to life!
