Rain, Repairs And A Roar: Tasmania JackJumpers' Stadium Saga Reaches Boiling Point

Rain, Repairs And A Roar: Tasmania JackJumpers' Stadium Saga Reaches Boiling Point

The Tasmania JackJumpers, NBL champions, are facing a familiar foe – not an opposing team, but the limitations of their current home, MyState Bank Arena.  A recent game against South East Melbourne was dramatically interrupted when a leaky roof forced a delay, bringing the ongoing debate about the team's stadium future to question.  

The incident, described by Jared “JD” Duggan of the Tasmanian Takeover podcast as the "first ever indoor basketball game delayed by rain," highlights a growing need for a more suitable and spacious venue, potentially at the coveted Mac Point location in Hobart's CBD.

MyState Bank Arena, while having served the JackJumpers admirably during their rapid rise to prominence in the first 3 years, is now struggling to keep pace with the team’s explosive popularity. After selling out the stadium 51 times in a row, it’s becoming obvious in the island state that the growing demand for basketball as entertainment, needs to have suitable facilities and a capacity to accommodate all fans.

A Stadium To House The Entire “Ant Army”

The vibrant and passionate "Ant Army" is arguably the team's sixth player, creating an electrifying atmosphere that a cramped venue increasingly fails to contain. Passionate fan and podcast host Clint “Berto” Bertenshaw says, "There's nothing like being at MyState… you will not get anything louder, particularly when we're winning and even when we're not winning."

He then went on to say, "But it's extremely difficult... even with the supporter membership... to get tickets outside of that early window you get at the start of the year. Five hundred dollar tickets were all that were left, for the game in 3 weeks against the Hawks. Now, don't get me wrong, these are the courtside food and beverage package tickets. They’re fantastic. But are they worth five hundred? I haven't got five hundred just sitting in my back pocket off the whim of wanting to go."

The leaky roof incident wasn't just an inconvenience; it served as a potent symbol of the larger problem.  While owner Larry Kestelman has been in discussions with the Tasmanian government regarding a significant upgrade,  the urgency of the situation is undeniable.  Proposed upgrades, including a 40% increase in seating capacity to 6,000, seems insufficient, JD added: "I wonder if that's just a band-aid. I know the Hobart Hurricanes get between twelve and eighteen thousand supporters along to a game at Bellerive. Maybe six thousand is not enough."  This highlights the significant gap between the current capacity and the actual demand.

The Answer Lies At The Regatta Ground

Enter Mac Point 2.0, a waterfront location just outside of Hobart's CBD currently under consideration for major stadium development.  While the Tasmanian Government is leaning toward a different site for a new AFL stadium, the alternative Mac Point location presents a compelling opportunity, with JD suggesting:  "That leaves the site for Mac Point 2.0 sitting there prime for, let's say, a ten thousand seat basketball indoor entertainment center right there on the waterfront at the Regatta grounds."  

This reflects the discussion on the possibilities for a new purpose-built arena, acknowledging the potential for a solution that caters to the growing needs of the JackJumpers and the broader Hobart community. This would not only solve the Jackjumpers' immediate stadium woes but would also create a significant boost to Hobart's sporting and entertainment infrastructure.

The hosts' passionate discussions on the Tasmanian Takeover podcast, echoing the concerns and aspirations of the Ant Army, and underscoring the critical need for a solution that secures the JackJumpers’ future while celebrating the team's remarkable success and the community's unwavering support.  The leaking roof serves not only as a reminder of immediate infrastructure needs but as a catalyst for a wider conversation about the future of sport in Tasmania.