Lauren Jackson Sports Centre: Stage 1 redevelopment officially unveiled

Pictured from left: Justin Clancy MP, Member for Albury, Albury Mayor Kevin Mack, Maree Bennie (Lauren's mother), Federal Opposition Leader and Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley MP, and basketball legend Lauren Jackson.

Centre namesake and Albury local Lauren Jackson attended the opening alongside Albury Mayor Kevin Mack, the Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Leader of the Opposition and Federal Member for Farrer, and Justin Clancy MP, Member for Albury, with the event coinciding with the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup being hosted at the venue.

First opened in 1984, the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre is recognised as one of southern NSW’s major multi-sport facilities, welcoming more than 120,000 users each year and attracting regional, state and national competitions.

The $15.2 million Stage 1 redevelopment, partially funded by a $5 million contribution from the NSW Government under the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund, delivers significant improvements to support both community sport and major events.

The works include:

• A new playing surface
• Player and family accessible change rooms
• Increased show-court seating capacity
• New administration and corporate spaces

Albury Mayor Kevin Mack said the redevelopment strengthens the city’s ability to host major sporting events while improving everyday access for the community.

“These upgrades ensure the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre remains fit for purpose for decades to come,” Mayor Mack said.

“They allow us to host larger tournaments, support growing participation locally and provide a better experience for players, officials and spectators.”

As part of the opening, Ms Jackson unveiled a special tribute to her career, tracing her progression from junior basketball to the highest level of the international women’s game. The tribute will remain on display for players, spectators and visitors to the centre.

“To be able to come to this stadium with the memorabilia and everything it has to offer, it shows if you have a dream and you want to achieve it, you absolutely can and these dreams start here, they start in local communities, in stadiums,” Ms Jackson shared.

“It's one of these places where so many people gather, whether it’s for basketball or netball or whatever it is, they come together, they learn friendships for life, they learn skillsets they’re not going to be learning in front of a TV or computer; what basketball can do for kids and the tangible skillsets they can get out of it are so important, and to have places like this, community hubs, where people come every single day to play with their friends to meet new people - all my family and friends in Albury, I’ve met them through here - that says a lot."

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper was unable to attend, however, he said projects like these showed the Minns Labor Government's commitment to ensuring all community members could benefit from sport and active recreation.

“Local sports infrastructure plays a critical role in keeping communities healthy, active and connected, and venues that can cater for all levels of participation maximise these benefits.

“The Lauren Jackson Sports Centre doesn’t just provide a place to play but a place for people to come and be inspired by our state’s great sporting talent.”

Basketball representatives from across NSW also attended the opening, reflecting the centre’s role within the state’s basketball network.

Stage 2 of the redevelopment remains as an endorsed master plan, pending future funding opportunities.

A special moment for sport in Albury, the Stage 1 redevelopment ensures the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre will inspire future generations for years to come.