The editor: Victoria Park now part of our Olympics vision

We need to dream big if Queensland is to fulfil its Olympic expectations, and the Victoria Park vision featuring a world-class sporting, events and knowledge precinct is now one of those options, writes the editor.

We need to dream big if Queensland is to fulfil its Olympic expectations.

And architect Peter Edwards is the sort of person who knows how to take a dream, put up the scaffolding and turn it into reality. Edwards, founder of architect firm Archipelago, is part of a team of local business leaders determined to change a growing “white elephant’’ perception of the 2032 Olympic Games.

This energetic team believes Spring Hill’s Victoria Park could be transformed into a world-class sporting, events and knowledge precinct featuring the world’s premier swimming centre.

The plan – dubbed “Brisbane Bold’’ – incorporates a site on each side of the Inner City Bypass at Spring Hill, connected above the motorway, and transformed into a 90ha, Melbourne Park-style sporting and events venue precinct with a 70,000-seat stadium and indoor arena.

Brisbane BOLD believes Spring Hill’s Victoria Park could be transformed into a world-class sporting, events and knowledge precinct. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

Victoria Park would feature three stadiums, a knowledge precinct and 5000 apartments used as an athlete’s village during the 2032 Games. Edwards says the heritage of Centenary Pool would be preserved alongside a new swimming centre which he believes could be the envy of the world.

Such a precinct would provide this city with the ability to host a second AFL team, regain status as Australia’s premier first Test cricket venue and lure athletes from all over the globe.

The bold, ambitious but not unrealistic vision is outlined in a story in The Sunday Mail today. It could well serve as the catalyst to not only transform the landscape of the state capital, but inject some new vigour into the Olympic dream which has faltered over the past year.

When Brisbane was first announced as the preferred bid for the 2032 Olympics on February 24, 2021, the state was jubilant, as it was again when the IOC Executive Board granted formal approval the following June. But what has followed has been frustrating and unedifying.

The precinct would provide this city with the ability to host a second AFL team, regain status as Australia’s premier first Test cricket venue and lure athletes from all over the globe. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

Political battles and bungled announcements have marked the first years of Olympic planning as we appear to keep losing confidence, constantly regressing back to the drawing board.

And yet this process, mirrored across the world in the post war years, has to be worked through.

Every city which has staged an Olympics has been forced to navigate a difficult path towards the ultimate goal, which is to provide the world with a thrilling spectacle while maximising the benefits (both short and long term) flowing into the host city.

Naturally we need to be conscious of costs, especially in a cost-of-living crisis. But we need to approach the Olympics with a mindset concentrating on opportunity and legacy.

Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk, leading the independent review of Brisbane 2032 venue infrastructure and due to report to State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace on March 18, is no doubt looking at every option.

The Victoria Park vision is now one of those options.