State Netball and Hockey Centre

State Netball Hockey Centre

The Cage
Melbourne Tigers playing at 'The Cage'
Location	10 Brens Drive, Royal Park, Parkville, Victoria
Coordinates	37°47′9″S 144°56′53″E / 37.78583°S 144.94806°E / -37.78583; 144.94806Coordinates: 37°47′9″S 144°56′53″E / 37.78583°S 144.94806°E / -37.78583; 144.94806
Owner	Victorian Government
Operator	State Sport Centres Trust
Capacity	Netball: 3,050 Basketball: 3,500 Field Hockey: 8,000
Construction
Broke ground	March 1999
Opened	16 March 2001
Tenants
Victoria Vikings, (AHL) (2001–present) Melbourne United (NBL) (2002–present) Melbourne Vixens (ANZ Championship) (2008–2011, 2013) Melbourne Phoenix (CBT) (2001–2008) Melbourne Kestrels (CBT) (2001–2008) 2006 Commonwealth Games

State Netball Hockey Centre (also known as the State Netball and Hockey Centre) is a multipurpose sporting facility located in Melbourne, Australia. It is a home arena of the Melbourne United basketball team of the National Basketball League and the Victorian Vikings hockey team of the Australian Hockey League. The facility is located in Royal Park, Parkville next to the Melbourne Zoo. The arena was opened on 16 March 2001, and is run as a non-profit facility by the State Sport Centres Trust. and consists of two outdoor hockey fields, four outdoor and five indoor netball courts.

The development of the State Netball Hockey center dates back to 1996 when the Royal Park Master Plan [1] was prepared by the City of Melbourne. Under the plan the existing State Netball Centre would be demolished and integrated with the State Hockey Centre. The demolishing of the State Netball Centre along with a reduction in the number of outdoor courts enabled the reinstatement of parkland and playing fields. The plan also outlined improving amenities for all park users in conjunction with the development of the Centre, including improved roads, public transport and car parking.

In May 1998 funding for the project at $24.5 million by the Community Support Fund was approved at development was officially announced by the State Government. In February 1999 a revised budget of $27 million was accepted after a tender process found that the previous budget was too small, even after reducing the scope of the project. The approval for the Centre was fast-tracked so significant progress would be made so the venue could be assessed by the 2006 Commonwealth Games Evaluations Panel in mid-1999.The redevelopment of the facilities began in March 1999 and was planned to be completed by April 2000. Construction was completed in November 2000, and the facility was officially opened on 16 March 2001.

The redevelopment of the Park had seen objections from interest groups. In May 1999 legal action commenced against the redevelopment of Royal Park on the grounds that the development was inconsistent with the purpose of the Crown land reservation. Another issue was raised after concerns over the effects of the exterior lights on the surround areas, including the Melbourne Zoo.