The Canberra Capitals have been forced into a game-day scramble to find a new venue, shifting their game from the National Convention Centre to Radford College in a move which further exposes the AIS Arena closure.
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In what will go down as an embarrassing moment for the ACT and federal governments, the most successful team in WNBL history played a professional match in a school gym on Thursday night.
Capitals officials had to make the decision after a power failure at the convention centre, which has been their permanent game-day home since the arena was closed more than three years ago.
Fans were asked to bring their own drinks and food to the impressive Collegians Centre at Radford, and after racing to spread the message about the change more than 1500 people packed into the venue for the clash against the Adelaide Lightning.
The location didn't matter in the end. Jade Melbourne led the way, again, with 31 points and helped the Capitals to their second win of the season.
But the build up to the 86-73 win will be remembered for the late change in venue and the Capitals playing in at a new location.
The Radford venue is considered the best school gym in Canberra and the Capitals had been locked in discussions with Radford about regularly using the facility for training sessions.
But the irony wasn't lost that the Capitals - the nine-time champions - from the "women's sporting capital" of Australia were reduced to playing in a gym on the same day the Matildas announced their 12th sell-out in a row.
The announcement landed just hours after the WNBL announced all games were being streamed on the WNBA app in the United States, which was hailed as a breakthrough moment for the competition.
The Capitals have been lamenting the closure of the AIS Arena since early 2020. Its absence from the venue options has robbed the club of a place to play marquee fixtures or finals.
The federal government reluctantly committed $15 million to reopen the arena as part of the election campaign last year. Work has begun and it is scheduled to be health and safety compliant by mid next year.
The Capitals are eagerly awaiting an open date after moving to Radford this week and shifting to Tuggeranong last week because of a booking clash at the convention centre.
Tuggeranong was unavailable for the game against Adelaide because it is being resurfaced, leaving Radford as the only viable options.
![Radford staff chipped in to help get their new court ready for a surprise WNBL game on Thursday. Pictures by Keegan Carroll, Gary Ramage Radford staff chipped in to help get their new court ready for a surprise WNBL game on Thursday. Pictures by Keegan Carroll, Gary Ramage](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/j2iwCiKfwhVWJky39Vsdpt/2f13f187-e018-46ae-8bdd-4558cdb66a3d.png/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Capitals general manager Lucille Bailie praised the clubs team of staff and volunteers for moving their game-day package across town just hours before tip-off.
"We had to make a call. You need power to run a game," said Bailie.
"Radford are a partner with the Capitals and we were looking forward to using this new facility already. School's out for the holidays, so that helps. And the Caps are in.
"It's a hell of a facility and it's not an ideal scenario, but adversity is your greatest teacher."
The Capitals started contemplating a relocation in the morning when there were issues with the convention centre's powerboard at the morning shootaround.
"It was all hands on deck. We had car loads going from one venue to the other with sponsor signage and everything else," Bailie said.
"Tuggeranong wasn't available. Belconnen no longer meets FIBA requirements. Radford fits the bill and it's brand-spanking new."
The federal government owns the AIS Arena, but did not fund upgrades until Senator David Pocock made it an election issue last year.
![The newly opened school court is one of the best in Canberra. Picture by Keegan Carroll The newly opened school court is one of the best in Canberra. Picture by Keegan Carroll](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/j2iwCiKfwhVWJky39Vsdpt/ec623e00-2a30-420c-a8a1-7e607adb283d.jpg/r0_256_5000_3078_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The ACT government is keen to take over operations when the venue comes back online, while it also has plans to build a 10,000-seat facility in the city.
The University of Canberra - which owns the Capitals - also has its own plans to build a multi-court facility on campus that would include a showcourt for about 3000 people.
"That's why the sports hub at UC is so important for us," Bailie said.
"The venues issue is a real issue for us. All roads point to the UC sports hub as quickly as possible and the AIS Arena in the meantime.
"This really shines a spotlight, once again, on the urgency to have those venues ready and operational. And it's the evolution of our league and the growth ... in Canberra we pride ourselves on being a leader on and off court.
"The venue is a vital piece and we're missing one of a league standard. You can't operate in a tin shed any more."
AT A GLANCE
CANBERRA CAPITALS 86 (Jade Melbourne 31, Alex Sharp 18) bt ADELAIDE LIGHTNING 73 (Lauren Mansfield 16, Isobel Borlase 16) at Radford College.