Swimming Australia backs Brisbane 2032 legacy venue

SWIMMING Australia has welcomed the Queensland Government’s Independent Review of Brisbane 2032 Venue Plans and renewed calls for the Games to deliver a new permanent aquatic facility.

Swimming Australia considers plans for temporary pools at the proposed Brisbane Arena are a missed opportunity for the Games to deliver a much-needed, world-class aquatic facility for Brisbane, Queensland and the nation.

Instead, investment in a new permanent aquatic facility could deliver lasting legacy benefits for swimming, aquatic sports, the broader community and the Queensland economy.

A new world-class and permanent aquatic facility constructed in time for Brisbane 2032 Games would:

• deliver a more cost-effective venue solution, an enhanced community legacy outcome and address existing gaps in the aquatic infrastructure network;
• be re-configured with a reduced seating capacity post-Games, following the successful lead of Sydney, Beijing, London and Tokyo as previous Host Cities;
• be utilised before and after the Games to host local, state, national and international events, and contribute to Queensland’s visitor economy for decades to come;
• become a national home for swimming;
• inspire greater swimming participation and be a leading hub for high performance programs and sport science innovation; and
• be accessible by the community year-round for a range of sport and recreation activities, including carnivals, lap swimming and learn to swim programs.

Swimming Australia is committed to working collaboratively with the Government and other partners to realise this vision and to determine a location and design that serves the Games and meets the future needs of our sport and other user groups.

Swimming Australia presented to the Independent Review Panel last month with the support of Grant Hackett OAM, three-time Olympic Champion and Chair of Swimming Australia’s BNE32 Legacy Advisory Committee.

“Throughout our consultation phase, we heard confusion and disappointment from the swimming community and other stakeholders that Brisbane 2032 would not deliver a venue legacy outcome for swimming.

“There is no doubt that a permanent venue will inspire future generations of swimmers and bring the community closer to the Games and their legacy.”

Swimming Australia’s submission to the Independent Review of Brisbane 2032 Venue Plans is available at the bottom of our Brisbane Legacy 2032 page.

Swimming Australia has also thrown its support behind renewed calls for improved investment in community swimming pool infrastructure.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia research promoted this week reveals that 40 per cent of Australia’s public pools (500 pools) could close over the next decade without sustained investment.

Pools are the life-blood of swimming clubs and communities around Australia, generating $9.1 billion of economic, health and social value annually according to Royal Life Saving Society Australia research.

Swimming Australia supports a coordinated approach and increased investment in swimming pool infrastructure across all three levels of government to ensure that pools remain accessible for all Australians.