The NBL's plans of buying its own Hobart stadium to bring the Derwent Entertainment Centre up to code could have an impact in Launceston on proposed Tasmanian games.
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The new team in the state destined to start out its NBL campaign by 2021 has promised to split a share of home fixtures between Hobart and Launceston.
But NBL executive director and owner Larry Kestelman said Silverdome games will only go ahead should State Government and the City of Launceston come forward to fund the arena to ensure it's compliant to NBL standards.
"The NBL wants the new team to be for all of Tasmania and we intend to take events and players all around the state," Kestelman said.
"So in regards to playing regular-season games, our intent is to take some games to Silverdome, but obviously it will need help from local and state governments.
"A lot of what is needed and being put in as a permanent fixture at the DEC will need to be shipped in to make Silverdome suitable to play any NBL games."
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Kestelman is on the verge of negotiating a final price for the DEC from Glenorchy City Council towards the end of exclusive 120-day talks.
But an ambitious proposal to refurbish the ageing Hobart facility could require $20 million of taxpayer's money to bring it up to health and safety code after Kestelman already publicly committed to Tasmania for the NBL's 10th and latest team.
Launceston hosted two of the nine NBL Blitz fixtures in September to Kestleman's own acclaim, suggesting the preseason series in Tasmania was the "biggest and best" in its decade-long history.
The Silverdome attracted more than 1500 spectators that night in the renovated Prospect arena, but the NBL wants to help to make a few more permanent changes.
"We feel confident that can be achieved if all parties, including local and state governments along with NBL, work together to make sure all of Tasmania is involved in the club," he said.
"We want to engage all of Tasmania and work at a community level to make basketball the No.1 sport in the state."
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