Derwent Entertainment Centre

MyState Bank Arena
Ant's Nest, DEC, Devils' Den
Map
Former namesDerwent Entertainment Centre
Address601 Brooker Highway
Glenorchy, TAS 7010
LocationCity of Glenorchy
Coordinates42°49′27″S 147°16′58″E / 42.82417°S 147.28278°E / -42.82417; 147.28278
OwnerTasmanian Government
OperatorLK Group
Capacity4,340 (NBL and netball)[3]
5,500 (fully seated)
8,500 (general admission)[4]
SurfaceConcrete
Hardwood (basketball)
Construction
Broke ground1987
Opened28 April 1989[1]
Renovated2021
ArchitectBlythe Yeung & Associates Architects in partnership with Peter Hunt Architects (1989)
Philip Lighton Architects (2021)[2]
BuilderHansen Yuncken (1989)
Vos Construction and Joinery (2021)
Tenants
Hobart Devils (NBL) (1989–1996)
Hobart Chargers (NBL1 South) (2017–2023)
Tasmania JackJumpers (NBL) (2021–present)

The Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC), known commercially as MyState Bank Arena since 2021, is Tasmania's largest indoor arena, serving as Hobart's primary location for large indoor sporting events, functions and live entertainment.[5][3] Commissioned by the Tasmanian Government and the Glenorchy City Council, the DEC served as the home arena for the Hobart Devils in the NBL from 1989 until 1996, when the team's licence was revoked.[6][7] Subsequently, between 1997 and 1998, ownership was transferred entirely to the City of Glenorchy,[8][9] where it became a financial burden and incurred significant maintenance expenses for Glenorchy taxpayers, while seeing limited use.[9][10][11][12][13] As the largest enclosed multipurpose venue in Tasmania, the DEC has hosted many Australian and international musical acts, including Kylie Minogue, Bob Dylan, Carole King, The Corrs, James Brown, Leonard Cohen, Tina Turner, Blondie and The Beach Boys.[14][15]

In 2020, the Tasmanian Government was granted the 10th NBL licence.[16] The government purchased the DEC from the City of Glenorchy[16] and following significant redevelopment, it became the southern home venue for the Tasmania JackJumpers, commencing in the 2021–22 NBL season. Since reopening as MyState Bank Arena, the venue has consistently sold 91% of its tickets for all events, including a 100% sellout rate for sporting events.[17]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Derwent Entertainment Centre: About us was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "MyState Bank Arena". philplighton.com.au. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "MyState Bank Arena". Austadiums.
  4. ^ "MyState Bank Arena - Main Arena". MyState Bank Arena. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  5. ^ "MyState Bank Arena". MyState Bank Arena.
  6. ^ "NBL to keep the Devils alive until season's end", The Australian (National, Australia), News Limited: 022, 17 June 1996, retrieved 23 September 2023
  7. ^ Young, Kane (23 September 2014). "Tasmanian drive for NBL team gaining speed". The Mercury (Hobart). Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  8. ^ Gooley, Cameron; Ham, Christopher (9 July 2018). "Glenorchy Council to consider offer to buy Derwent Entertainment Centre". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Derwent Entertainment Centre Redevelopment Submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works" (PDF). Tasmanian Government. p. 3. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  10. ^ "MyState Bank Arena Opening Day". tasexplorer.com. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  11. ^ Humphries, Alexandra (12 December 2018). "Glenorchy Council not 'perilously close to insolvency', audit finds, despite rate rise". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Glenorchy council may sweeten DEC deal by offering riverside land". REA Group. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  13. ^ Compton, Leon (30 October 2018). "Derwent Entertainment Centre sale knocked back, putting Huskies' NBL bid under cloud". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Derwent Entertainment Centre Concerts". Concert Archives. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Derwent Entertainment Centre Hobart Concert Setlists". setlist.fm. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Tasmania gets its first NBL team since 1996 under Derwent Entertainment Centre sale deal". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  17. ^ "NBL calls for boost to MyState Bank Arena's capacity". austadiums.com. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.