The Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC), known commercially since 2021 as MyState Bank Arena, is Tasmania's largest indoor arena, serving as Hobart's primary venue for large indoor functions and events. Commissioned by the Tasmanian Government and the Glenorchy City Council, the DEC served as the home arena for the Hobart Devils in the NBL from 1989 until 1996, when the team's licence was revoked. Subsequently, between 1997 and 1998 ownership was transferred entirely to the City of Glenorchy, where it became a financial burden, incurring significant maintenance expenses for Glenorchy taxpayers while seeing limited use. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the DEC hosted concerts from international touring acts including Bob Dylan, Carole King, Kylie Minogue, James Brown, Leonard Cohen, Tina Turner, Blondie and The Beach Boys.
In 2020, the Tasmanian Government was granted the 10th NBL licence. The government purchased the DEC from the City of Glenorchy and following significant redevelopment, it became the southern home venue for the Tasmania JackJumpers, commencing in the 2021–22 NBL season. Since reopening as MyState Bank Arena, the venue has consistently sold 91% of its tickets for all events, including a 100% sellout rate for sporting events.
History
In the early 1980s, the City of Hobart recognised the need for a versatile indoor venue capable of hosting sports, conventions, exhibitions, and international entertainment. Despite Tasmania's small population, the island showed promise in basketball, exemplified by Launceston Casino City winning the NBL championship in 1981. The Hobart Devils, initially based at the 1,800-seat Kingborough Sports Centre, experienced relative success in the mid-1980s, solidifying the case for a larger, purpose-built arena as the franchise's influence expanded. The new venue's location was eventually chosen on reclaimed grounds in the neighbouring City of Glenorchy, created and utilised during the construction of the Bowen Bridge.
Constructed as an Australian Bicentennial project, the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) was funded by the Tasmanian Government, the Glenorchy City Council, and a Federal development grant with the intention of hosting the Devils. Designed by Blythe Yeung and Associates Architects (TAS) in collaboration with Peter Hunt Architects (WA), construction was undertaken between 1987 and 1989 by Hansen Yuncken (VIC). The Derwent Entertainment Centre was handed over to the Glenorchy City Council on 14 March 1989, becoming the largest capacity indoor venue on the island, accommodating 4,875 patrons fully seated or 6,925 general admission. Officially opening on 28 April 1989 with a Rick Astley concert, a function area was later named the Astley Room in honour of the performance.
Sports commentators often referred to the DEC as the "Devils' Den" during Devils home games.
The Devils set a club record for most points scored at the DEC on 11 September 1993, defeating the Townsville Suns 145–112.
In June 1995, Brisbane Bullets coach Bruce Palmer lodged a formal complaint about a lack of security at the DEC following an incident where objects were thrown at him and others on the bench when the visiting team defeated the Devils 107–105. The complaint also sought reduced volume of artificial crowd noise at the venue.
Throughout the 1990s, the Devils faced ongoing insolvency issues, leading to the revocation of their NBL license in 1996, along with the Geelong Supercats and the Gold Coast Rollers. The Devils were defeated 79–101 in their final game at the DEC against the South East Melbourne Magic on 27 September 1996.
In 2002, Tasmanian Liberal Party leader Bob Cheek launched his election campaign at the DEC, opening the event with the Hunters and Collectors song "Holy Grail". The band's songwriter, Mark Seymour, expressed strong disapproval, stating the band were "disgusted by the appropriation of our much-loved anthem by a political party that we utterly despise". Cheek responded by stating that the Tasmanian Liberal Party had confirmed the venue's Australian Performing Rights Association license beforehand.
The last NBL game held at the DEC occurred in December 2005 when the Adelaide 36ers faced the Melbourne Tigers in front of 2,416 fans.
On 8 December 2009, a public talk, titled "Our Earth, who is responsible?", was held by the 14th Dalai Lama. The Harlem Globetrotters performed at the venue in April 2013. In 2014, the Glenorchy City Council planned spending $1.2 million on venue maintenance between 2014 and 2015, while expecting to generating $1.4 million in revenue from the facility.