Aquatics, soccer call for new 2032 Olympic venues
Aquatic sports and soccer have made their pitch for new venues for the 2032 Olympics to the state government’s 100-day infrastructure review, but community groups are planning to protest any development.
Some of Australian sportâs heavy hitters have come out swinging with wish-lists for new centrepiece stadiums at Brisbaneâs 2032 Olympics.
Swimming Australia, backed by the sportâs global governing body and the Australian Olympic Committee, want a national aquatics centre built at Brisbaneâs Victoria Park.
Football Australia are calling for a permanent stadium, preferably at Perry Park, that could seat up to 30,000 spectators during the Olympics.
And Hockey Australia have identified the Gold Coast as the sportâs optimal venue for the Games â while also keeping drop-in pitches at an upgraded Ballymore in Brisbane as an option.
The peak sporting bodies have detailed their desires in submissions to the Queensland governmentâs 100-day infrastructure review for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
But artists from across Brisbane are protesting at Victoria Park-Barrambin on Monday, January 27 against any Olympic stadium development in the parkland.
Organised by former Brisbane deputy mayor and local artist David Hinchliffe, the âSave Victoria Park event invites creatives young and old to wield their brushes in the fight against the proposed destruction of the 64-hectare parklandâ.
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âI hope artists can help show the rest of Brisbane and importantly the decision-makers just how beautiful this park is and what a tragedy it would be to bulldoze it to build three stadiums and high-rise residential towers,â Hinchliffe said.
Swimming Australia (SA) have high-powered backing for their proposal: building a national aquatics centre at Victoria Park.
Supported by the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and World Aquatics, Diving Australia, Water Polo Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia have joined forces in pushing the preferred option.
The submission wants the existing Centenary Pool upgraded and complemented by new main and secondary stadiums featuring two large indoor pools that would be the national base for the four peak aquatic sports.
SA chief executive officer Rob Woodhouse said the national aquatics centre would hold a post-Games legacy of being a community hub offering year-round  grassroot access, while remaining capable of hosting major events such as world championships for the various aquatic sports.
âThe fact that the Games are on gives us this opportunity for a generational play, if you like, to host the biggest events in the world, the Paralympics and the Olympics,â Woodhouse told AAP on Thursday.
âBut also to build something which has got fantastic use for our community for decades to come ⌠it would become a real community asset.â
Under the proposal, the main competition pool for the â32 Games would seat more than 19,000 spectators â about 2000 more than the La Defense Arena used at last yearâs Paris Olympics.
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The entire aquatics centre could boast 25,800 seating capacity during the Games, with permanent capacity around 8000.
Football Australia (FA) and Football Queensland detailed its submission for a permanent 17,000-20,000 seat venue, preferably at Perry Park.
The stadium would have the potential for an extra 13,000 temporary seats during the Olympics.
âA purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland,â FA chief executive James Johnson said in a statement.
âThis venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments, strengthening Queenslandâs global reputation as a leader in major events.â
The submission is backed by international and domestic stakeholders including the Asian Football Confederation, Australian Professional Leagues and Brisbane Roar.
And Hockey Australia and Hockey Queensland, in a joint submission to the government, pinpoint the Gold Coast Hockey Centre as the optimal Olympic venue for the sport.
The centre, used during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, would need âminimal upgradesâ including an additional pitch and improved broadcasting facilities.
âThese upgrades would not only ensure a world-class Olympic competition but also unlock opportunities for pre-Games activations such as the FIH World Cup,â the submission stated.
The deadline for the governmentâs 100-day review closed on January 10 with submissions now being considered.
â with AAP
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