A 25,000 Capacity Games Time National Aquatic Centre Confirmed As Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Swimming Venue
Olympic champion Cam McEvoy has today led a collective voice of approval on behalf Australia’s aquatic family with the announcement that a National Aquatic Centre (NAC) would become swimming’s centre piece for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Welcoming the official announcement from the Queensland Government that an NAC would be developed in Brisbane’s Spring Hill as part of the 2032 Games master plan, creating a true legacy for future generations.
YOU’RE THE ONE BRISBANE: Cameron McEvoy, who won Olympic gold in Paris, says the National Aquatic Centre will ignite the Olympic and Paralympic flame for the next generation. Photo DeepBlue Media.
With McEvoy, the four-time Olympian and Paris 2024 gold medallist in the 50m freestyle claiming that the NAC would become a venue to ignite the Olympic and Paralympic flame for the next generation of athletes – with a Games-time capacity of 25,000 people.
“As a six-year-old I stood on the blocks at Sydney Olympic Park and realised there was so much more to swimming than just my own local pool,” said McEvoy.
“ I watched the Olympics on TV, but that was nothing compared to when I set foot inside the actual venue that held the Games.
“It became much more real than a TV screen. That’s what I’m excited about with the National Aquatics Centre – all of the dreams it will ignite.
“Not only that but it will be a venue that has the capacity to produce those dreams as it will be decked out in state of the art high performance technology for each sport to use and train alongside each other.
“I can’t think of any other place to have something like this than in South-East Queensland. If South-East Queensland was a country we would have finished equal third on the swimming medal tally at the Paris Olympic Games. The NAC only stands to solidify this level of achievement for future generations to come!”
Triple Paralympic golden girl Lakeisha Patterson said she was beyond excited to see that swimming would have a world-class home in Brisbane, one that is built for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
“The National Aquatics Centre (NAC) will be a game changer for accelerating Australia’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport by empowering excellence with its world-class facilities for all major aquatic sports,” Patterson said.
“Most importantly, the NAC is a purpose-built hub that will champion inclusivity and inspire Australians to dive in and have a go for generations to come.
“It’s inspiring to think about the young kids who will witness the Paralympic Games at this venue where disabilities are positively showcased and accessibility for all is encouraged. I can’t wait to see it come to life.”
Golden Girl Lakeiha Patterson. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
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 over two years to develop a proposal that would create long term value for all Queenslanders as well as provide game-changing solutions for all the aquatic sports in Australia.
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.
And this would not have been possible without the expertise and commitment of Nauta and Archipelago, who supported by their team of consultants, have shared the aquatic sports vision and passion for delivering legacy.
The development of a new National Aquatics Centre 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.
As a coalition of aquatic sports; swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming have consistently advocated for investment in a permanent aquatics’ facility – not just because the four aquatic sports have wanted one but because Brisbane and Queensland need one.
Today is a celebration for all as this Olympic and Paralympic legacy will keep the light shining in communities long after the flame goes out. We look forward to working with the Queensland Government and other Games partners to ensure the NAC truly delivers both for the community and across all levels of our sports, from learning to swim to high performance.
Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse, a driving force behind the NAC plan described the announcement as 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,” said Woodhouse, a two-time Olympian in LA and Seoul.
“Our magnificent Paralympians and Olympians will inspire us all through their achievements at the NAC in 2032 and for decades after. Thank you to the Queensland Government for understanding the real legacy the NAC will provide for all Australians.
“The national aquatic sports will work hard with the appointed experts to ensure that the NAC will truly deliver both for the community and across all levels of our sports, from learning to swim to high performance.”
Artists impression of the Centenary Pool. Image Courtesy Archipelago.
KEY FEATURES OF THE NATIONAL AQUATIC CENTRE
Alongside the existing infrastructure at the Centenary Pool, the NAC would deliver:
Three new pools, including two large indoor pools (50m and 65m) that would act as a national base to support multiple aquatic sports;
One indoor dive tower.
A new outdoor pool with functionality to support multiple aquatic sports.
A 27m outdoor tower for both diving and high diving;
Separate high performance and community gyms and amenities including a dedicated diving dry land;
Administration and retail spaces;
Sports medicine treatment rooms;
Permanent seating capacity of 8,800 and more than 25,000 in Games mode.