Venues NSW has completed a business case recommending a new $350 million indoor stadium beside McDonald Jones Stadium as the first stage of the Hunter Park redevelopment at Broadmeadow. The proposed 11,945-seat venue would replace the ageing Newcastle Entertainment Centre and could serve as a home for national league sporting teams.
The business case, obtained by the Newcastle Herald, suggests the stadium would save more than $30 million in maintenance over 10 years and recoup $20.3 million in lost events revenue annually. It includes 34 corporate suites and conference and exhibition spaces, with one source describing it as the 'strongest I've seen'.
Former Newcastle Basketball coaching director Tim Mallon said the stadium would demonstrate Newcastle's seriousness about reviving its NBL team. NBL owner Larry Kestelman has named potential expansion clubs but not Newcastle; Mallon believes a new venue could change that. Newcastle Basketball's new general manager Matt Neason agreed the stadium would improve prospects for an NBL team.
The stadium could also attract a Super Netball team and international netball. Hunter Netball chair Jodi Cassar said an 11,000-seat venue would be a 'game-changer' for the region. Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes noted that a recent Diamonds international sold out 4100 tickets and could have sold four to five times that number with a larger venue.
The key to unlocking the development is moving the Newcastle harness racing track, with $50 million from Restart NSW needed to relocate it to Cessnock, Branxton or elsewhere in the Hunter. Venues NSW says the entertainment centre is 'not encumbered' by the track, but the two sites are adjacent.
