A major milestone for basketball and indoor sport in Central Queensland was celebrated this week, with construction officially commencing on the Gladstone Regional Indoor Sports Centre (GRISC).

Representatives from government, Basketball Queensland and the Gladstone Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) gathered in Gladstone on Thursday to turn the sod on the project, marking the beginning of construction on the new two-court indoor facility.

Located at Memorial Park in Gladstone Central, the new venue will deliver a purpose-built indoor sports facility designed to support basketball and a range of indoor sports across the region. The development is backed by $10 million in Federal Government funding and will include two FIBA-compliant basketball courts, changerooms and amenities, as well as offices, meeting rooms and kiosk facilities.

Paynters has been appointed as head contractor, while Tango Projects will continue to oversee project management throughout the build. Completion is currently targeted for early 2027.

Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm joined GABA President Duane Jacobsen and Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett at the official sod-turning ceremony.

Basketball Queensland General Manager Hugh Raleigh said the project represented an exciting outcome for the Gladstone community and acknowledged the work undertaken locally to help bring the development to life.

“It’s exciting for the Gladstone community to have this investment in such significant sporting infrastructure, I’d like to congratulate Duane and his committee for their dedication and vision in bringing this project to life.

“I’d also like to thank Senator Chisholm and the Australian Government for their investment in indoor sport in Queensland.”

GABA President Duane Jacobsen described the sod-turning as a proud moment for the local basketball community after years of advocacy and planning.

“Today is a very proud moment for our club and the wider Gladstone community. Turning the sod marks the start of construction and brings us one step closer to delivering a facility that has been needed for many years.

“This centre will be more than a basketball stadium. It will be a place where local families, young people, sporting groups and community organisations can come together, participate and grow.”

The project is expected to significantly strengthen indoor court capacity in the region while creating new opportunities for participation, development pathways and regional events.

Basketball Queensland acknowledges the efforts of GABA, the Australian Government, Gladstone Regional Council and all project partners involved in progressing this important piece of infrastructure for the Central Queensland community.