Amazing Mt Coot-tha venue among ideas for new 2032 Olympics aquatic hub

Situated on the side of Mt Coot-tha with breathtaking views of the city, this would have to be the most spectacular Brisbane 2032 Olympic venue yet. And it’s permanent.

How the city skyline could look from the proposed Mt Coot-tha pool. Image: Richard Groves Architects

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Olympian Grant Hackett says a proposal for a mountaintop 2032 Games venue would be a “spectacular’’ way to showcase Brisbane to the world.

Diving and swimming chiefs have also repeated calls for a permanent national facility in southeast Queensland, saying the Brisbane Arena “drop-in’’ pool proposal in the CBD would not foster the team rivalry that has made St Peters Western Swim Club in Indooroopilly a gold medal factory.

Prominent architect Richard Groves has submitted a high-level Olympic design brief for a combined swimming and diving venue halfway up Mt Coot-tha, near a quarry on Scenic Drive, which would have sweeping views from the Moreton Bay islands to the CBD.

Mr Groves, part of the lead design team behind South Bank Lagoon and the White Water World attraction at Dreamworld, said the backdrop would showcase Brisbane to the world.

“An 8000-seat indoor/outdoor facility that can charge more per seat (than a drop-in arena venue) will provide a swimming and ​diving centre as memorable as that at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics,’’ he said.

“With the billions of eyes ​certain to watch the Brisbane Olympics from all over the world, it would be guaranteed to be a TripAdvisor top ten attraction.’’

Mr Hackett, who competed at the 2003 world championships in Barcelona, said the “whole world remembers that venue’’.

“Mt Coot-tha is also a spectacular location. Whether (the aquatic venue) is positioned on Mt Coot-tha, I’m not sure if that’s the right or wrong answer,’’ he said.

“But why wouldn’t you have one of the world’s best permanent training facilities here in Brisbane?’’

He said it was important for elite athletes to have the chance to train together to inspire them.

“When I saw (Olympian) Daniel Kowalski training beside me I was like, wow, look at what he can do,’’ he said.

“I would not have been a 1500m swimmer without him and Kieren Perkins.’’

Swimming Australia and Diving Australia said they were working with the other aquatic sports to ensure the 2032 Games delivered the best, permanent facility possible.

Australia’s Brittany Broben in action during the women’s 10m platform diving semi final at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona. Picture: SMP IMAGES

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse said while the Victoria Park option “looks good’’, other venues also could meet requirements, but his organisation had made it clear six months ago that a Brisbane Arena drop-in pool would not.

Diving Australia CEO Alex Newton said the Mt Coot-tha option would need detailed transport studies, excellent dryland facilities and community attractors.

Mr Groves said a Mt Coot-tha option, in conjunction with upgrades rather than replacement of The Gabba, would save about $2.5 billion.

He said there was space for two 50m Olympic pools, an indoor Olympic diving pool with four diving platforms and an 8000-seat fully-roofed stand, expandable to up to 14,000 seats, just shy of the 15,000 required by WorldAquatics.

It could be converted to a concert stage with a temporary ​flooring.

There was also room for new aquatic sports headquarters, dining, entertainment and conference ​facilities, family waterpark and ​adjacent hotel on the quarry site, linked to the Botanic Gardens ​and Planetarium.

Metro-style large buses could move up to 5000 people per hour from Milton railway station, Suncorp or the CBD, he said.

Swimming champion Grant Hackett says a permanent national aquatic facility should be built in the Brisbane area. Picture: Supplied

A major drawback was the small capacity, which compared with about 15,000 seats for the Brisbane Arena drop-in pool and 40,000 at the La Defense drop-in facility in Paris.

Updated designs released last week put the cost of Brisbane Arena ot a whopping $167,000 per seat, compared with the $23,000 per seat cost of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, built two years ago, Mr Groves said.

But the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee said in a statement that swimming would be held at Brisbane Arena and diving, artistic swimming and water polo at the Brisbane Aquatics Centre in Chandler.

A Brisbane 2032 spokesman said “decisions on infrastructure for sport and community legacy were decisions for the Australian and Queensland Governments’’.

Mr Woodhouse said no swimming facility in the country presently was up to the best international standards and even the Sydney Olympics venue, although presently “OK”, was ageing.

“We got lucky at the Olympics qualifications in Brisbane in that it was a warm winter, because the swimmers had to warm up outdoors,’’ he said.

“Any new venue must be indoors, otherwise you would have to hold international events in our summer which is difficult for (northern hemisphere) countries.

Queenslander Teesha Manage at the 2021 Australian Age Diving Championships at Brisbane Aquatic Centre in Chandler. Diving Australia says the tower no longer meets international standards. Picture: Richard Walker

“You also want these pools to be economically viable and used by the community (after the Games).

“We’re a nation of swimmers. This has to be an asset for the whole community for decades to come.’’

Mr Woodhouse said a venue ideally would be ready by 2030, when Australia had committed to hosting the Pan Pacific Championships.

Diving Australia said its preference was for all aquatic sports to be together in one place.

It said the Mt Coot-tha option would need to include detailed transport studies before it could be properly considered and would have to be big enough to house dryland facilities including health services and community facilities.

The site where a national aquatic centre has been proposed by architect Richard Groves. Image: Google Streetview

“That should include a range of facilities, such as a childcare centre and cafe, something the community can use,’’ chair Liz Jack said.

“It’s one thing to ensure a venue meets international competition requirements and it’s another to look at what it offers after (an Olympics).’’

Ms Newton said “ideally’’ they wanted the facility ready at least a year before 2032 to allow time for a practice run and to maximise home advantage.

“But it’s important we take the time to get it right,’’ she said.

Diving Australia said while the Brisbane Aquatic Centre at Chandler was to be upgraded as part of the Brisbane Arena plan, a significant investment was needed as it was 50 years old.

The diving tower was no longer internationally compliant, dryland facilities were not up to scratch and even the ventilation system needed upgrading.