National Aquatic Centre planned for Brisbane Olympics and beyond

Australia’s aquatic sports bodies have welcomed the announcement from the Queensland Government that a National Aquatics Centre (NAC) will be developed as part of the Brisbane 2032 master plan.

The new aquatic centre will have a Games capacity of 25,000 and multiple pools will be built at the Centenary Pool at Spring Hill.

Swimming Australia, Diving Australia, Water Polo Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia, led by Nauta and Archipelago and their project team of experts, have worked for more than two years to develop the proposal that has been billed as creating long term value for Queenslanders and game-changing solutions for Australia aquatic sports.

The NAC will see Centenary Pool in Spring Hill upgraded and complemented by a new main and secondary stadium featuring two large indoor pools that would act as a national base to host the four peak aquatic sports.

It is claimed that the development of the NAC will unlock significant benefits for Australia’s aquatic sports and the community, by creating a venue capable of attracting major aquatics events and an environment for daily high-performance training alongside community access.

Aquatic sports including swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming have consistently advocated for investment in a permanent aquatics facility.

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse says that this is the most significant investment ever in aquatic sports in Australia.

“As well as the critically important community and health benefits for all Australians, the NAC will set our aquatic sports up for ongoing success for the next 50 years beyond the 2032 Games,” he says.

“Our magnificent Paralympians and Olympians will inspire us all through their achievements at the NAC in 2032 and for decades after.”

Water Polo Australia CEO Tim Welsford says this announcement is historic for aquatic sports in Australia.

“We are pleased after years of advocating for a National Aquatics Centre, the Queensland Government has supported the opportunity to create a true legacy for our sports and also for Queenslanders.

“We have witnessed firsthand how a home Olympic Games at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre inspired a new generation of players that have gone on to win medals for Australia but also inspire more young people to get involved in our sport.

“Australia’s first ever national high-performance hub for all aquatic sports, including our Aussie Sharks and Stingers, will provide the unique opportunity where we won’t be in competition with the community needs but rather have enough pool space for everyone to enjoy and hopefully inspire more people to get active.”

Diving Australia chief executive Alex Newton says that a state-of-the art facility for diving, in the lead up to, during and post the Olympic Games, is essential for the sport to be able to achieve strong results on the international stage.

“Currently, we quite simply do not have enough diving venues in Australia that can accommodate our current squads and competitions, let alone allow us to leverage a home Olympic Games where our goals are to expand participation.

“The plans, which include an indoor and outdoor dive tower, will be the first venue in the Southern hemisphere with a tower capable of hosting high diving, which we are advocating should be included on the 2032 Games program.

“All four aquatics sports are determined to advocate for a truly national facility that benefits the community as well as our respective high-performance programs well beyond the two week window of hosting an Olympic Games.”

Artistic Swimming Australia chair Mark Sinderberry says the NAC is a dream come true for Australian aquatic sports, especially Artistic Swimming.

“With world-class infrastructure, we can now train, compete, and host global events at the highest standard. This facility elevates Australia’s place on the international stage, will boost our performance and provides an enduring legacy for future generations of athletes.”

MAIN IMAGE. The new National Aquatic Centre will hold 25,000 spectators Image: Archipelago