The four electronic scoreboards at EA Networks Centre are to be replaced, after nearly 10 years of use.

The scoreboards were due to be replaced in the next financial year, but Council decided this week to bring the work forward because the electronics had begun to malfunction - freezing, running very slowly and jumping time.

A sum of $100,000 had been earmarked for the new scoreboards, but they can be bought and installed now for about $74,000.

Sport and Recreation Manager Richard Wood told Councillors this week that staff and customers had been noticing that the scoreboards had begun to fail.

“Then last month during a big basketball tournament, the shot clock on court one failed beyond repair. The tournament continued without this shot clock, but it was less than ideal for the players and referees, who rely on the equipment to monitor possession and time. A lot can happen on a court in a matter of seconds.

“Earlier this month, all of court four’s scoring technology also failed. We’ve tried to identify the source of the failure, but have had no success.”

Shot clocks and scoreboards need to be compatible with each other, and the existing equipment is nearly 10 years old. The original supplier will not stock scoreboards from the end of 2024 and will no longer have installation and service staff based in Christchurch.

Mr Wood said EA Networks Centre had hosted many tournaments and it was important the facility’s equipment functioned as needed.

“We need to keep attracting these tournaments as they also have wider economic benefits for the district, as teams stay to play. With other stadiums north and south of us developing facilities, we must keep ours in top order or risk losing customers.”

Councillors this week approved moving the scoreboard project from the 2025-26 financial year, to this financial year.

Staff will now source the new scoreboards and aim to have them installed as soon as possible.