The Examiner's Ben Hann gives a rundown of the major renovations coming to UTAS Stadium. Video by Aaron Smith and Paul Scambler (11/3/25)
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00:00Plenty has been made in the last days, weeks, months and even years about UTAS Stadium and its redevelopments happening here in the heart of Launceston and here we are today to try and explain to you guys where all the redevelopments are at.
00:17To begin with I'll talk about exactly what the $130 million refurbishment is meant to achieve.
00:25Effectively they want to improve the customer experience when content is being played out on this ground.
00:32We'll begin with the western stand which is where I'm sitting today.
00:38You can notice here the walkway that's going all the way through so you can stand right at the fence there.
00:47Seating will be pushed all the way to the fence meaning that this western stand will be extended all the way out to the end.
00:56That's actually going to happen on the other side on the eastern stand as well but I'll stick to the western stand for now.
01:03As well as extending the seating they're going to improve disability and general access around the stand.
01:12They're going to increase food and drink amenities, bathrooms, effectively just make the experience more comfortable.
01:19There's also going to be improved corporate facilities for boxes and other expensive experiences that people might want to have here at the ground.
01:31Once they've done that and they've done the change rooms over there at the Carlton Draft Stand they'll move over to the eastern stand.
01:40I think people in Launceston would agree that the eastern stand has probably been in need of an improvement for some time.
01:47I think this aspect to it will be well received by the public.
01:53To begin with they're, as I said previously, going to extend the seating all the way out into the fence so removing any of that standing room.
02:02This will actually reduce the capacity of the stadium overall but it is thought to be by not a significant amount.
02:09The capacity actually varies so I can't unfortunately give you a direct number but it's going to be anywhere between 18,000 and 23,000 from what I've been told.
02:21As well as the seating extension we're going to have a concourse built underneath the stand.
02:26Meaning that food and drinks as is over here will be included into the concourse improving once again the fan experience.
02:35There'll also be a plaza area built in the entrance to the eastern stand making a much more welcoming environment that chain link fence that is currently there.
02:45Now this is where the devils come in.
02:47Both North Launceston and Hawthorne's futures at this stadium are still up in the air.
02:54It's really tough to know or better call at this stage exactly what will happen.
02:58The Hawks are, as I said, contracting to the end of 2027.
03:01North Launceston don't have necessarily a given home at this ground at this stage once this upgrade is complete once again at the end of 2027.
03:12It puts the devils in a position where they are going to be fighting likely to make sure that the Hawks have as little a footprint at this ground as possible.
03:22I think Brendan Gale has said multiple times in the past that he doesn't want the Hawks to stay.
03:29The Hawks have said explicitly that they want to stay so that'll be interesting to see how that pans out.
03:34But the devils will also have to accommodate North Launceston who have explicitly told the examiner that they want to remain at this ground, tenants here for 102 years.
03:44You can understand why.
03:46So that is how it'll affect each club.
03:49This new refurbishment is going to have new change rooms, a new function centre, improved seating, improved amenities and improved access is going to substantially change how this ground is used and looks once the devils arrives.
04:03It remains to be seen just how it will unfold.
04:06From seeking permission to cut down trees to removing a 102 year old tenant and finding them a place to stay.
04:14From improving club rooms and change rooms and food and drinks, disability access and everything in between.
04:21There is so much still to be done here at this $130 million upgrade of UTAS Stadium here in the heart of Launceston, it's premier sporting precinct.
04:31But as for how it all shakes out between the Tasmania Devils, Hawthorn Hawks and North Launceston Bombers, that all remains to be seen.
04:39But fear not, the examiner will be there through it all and covering every single detail.
04:44So make sure to catch us on our website, in the paper and online.