This basis is for fixed seating at the end of what will be Ballarat Sports and Events Centre showcourt which, with two retractable grandstands, will create a surround sound arena feel for a roaring crowd.

At capacity, the multi-purpose stadium will seat 3000 people. 

Ground slabs have been poured for all new BSEC courts, excepting the showcourt.

These developments come the week leading into the region’s marquee netball club’s sole Victorian Netball League home fixture on existing courts at the venue on Friday night. Sovereigns will host Geelong Cougars in three divisions.

Nicholson Construction project manager Stephen Allen neighbours and people passing by the stadium construction would start to notice big changes in the next month as the bones of the stadium’s new wing started to take shape.

Steel structures are also starting to be installed, with a start made on the general court furthest from Dowling Street. This structural process is expected to take about three months with pre-painted and pre-finished steel starting to arrive on site.

Mr Allen confirmed the project was on schedule for completion by mid-next year.

Works on the $24 million project started in late February with extensive foundation works. In-ground drainage infrastructure will unfold from the Norman Street edge of the site this week.

The project will deliver six new court, including a showcourt, and add to two existing courts in the multi-purpose facility.

When complete, the stadium will become the home and training base for the Sovereigns and Basketball Ballarat’s Miners and Rush athletes.

The final $10 million federal grant to complete the full $24 million vision for the stadium was secured last year after three failed bids under the now-defunct National Stronger Regions Fund.

A bid is underway to add to the project in developing a strength and conditioning and learning centre, which would help add to a push to make Ballarat a regional centre of excellence for elite sports training camps.

Wendouree Indoor Sports group is driving a $5.14 million stage two stadium play in a bid to ensure greater access for community activity.

This costing includes new three-on-three street basketball courts for round-the-clock community access in the increasing popular, less formalised format, and a modern gym space in a partnership with Federation University for research and student work experience.

Indoor sports groups, led by Basketball Ballarat, first entered talks to address a critical court shortage in 2006.

BSEC, previously Wendouree Sports and Events Centre, was built in 1986. The Minerdome was built in 1982 and had upgrades in 2004-05 ahead of hosting duties for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

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