AS GOOD AS ALL THIS LOOKS the questions hanging in the are those to do with the State's faltering health system, the crisis in education, not to mention the economic sustainability of the Tasmanian economy let alone the State's housing crisis.
There will be a cohort at Launceston's Town Hall sucking this news in like it might provide yet more enriching oxygen for the fiscal follies they entertain in pursuit of a glorified status quo.
UTAS Stadium will soon be home to a new entertainment precinct and a fresh Eastern Stand with more than 1000 extra seats.
The state government will today announce plans to get the ball rolling on a $200 million upgrade of the North's premier venue.
The redevelopment - initially laid out in two stages - has been split into three as the state government awaits word on whether the federal government will match a $65 million commitment to the venue.
The $65 million first stage - set to begin later this year and be completed by early 2025 - will boost the stadium's seated capacity to 14,000, and its overall capacity to 20,500.
It also includes:
- A new entertainment precinct, designed to cater for a range of sports, concerts and arts events
- Redeveloped players' and umpires' changerooms, and new interchange benches
- Improved food and beverage facilities
The third stage is estimated to cost about $70 million and features a new indoor multi-sport facility, which will be designed at the conclusion of the first two stages.
The redevelopment is largely in line with the $208 million redevelopment set out by City of Launceston Council at the start of 2021.
However, plans for retractable seating, enabling the rectangular configuration needed to host top-flight soccer on a more regular basis, are no longer part of the project.
The upgrade plans come as Tasmanians wait to see whether the federal government will cover the $240 million needed to build a new stadium at Macquarie Point and secure a Tasmanian AFL team.
Entertainment precinct, 1000 extra seats for UTAS Stadium Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the project would help ready the North for a Tasmanian team.
"The UTAS Stadium upgrade plans we're releasing today will provide an increase of more than 1000 seats, while significantly improving facilities for players, coaches and fans alike," Mr Rockliff said.
"An upgraded UTAS Stadium will not only see more elite sports being played in the north of the state, including supporting a future Tasmanian AFL team, it will also generate immense economic benefits to the region."
Construction Minister Guy Barnett said planning for stage one was "well under way" and would kick off once planning and development approvals were received.
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