Gold Coast Aquatic Centre: Secret talks to transform Southport pool complex

Secret talks are being held to dramatically alter the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre Southport within a handful of years. FIND OUT HOW

An investigation is being launched to determine if a roof can be fitted on top of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in a bold bid by City Hall to secure swimming at the 2032 Olympic Games.

The Bulletin can reveal Gold Coast City Council officers have been asked by Mayor Tom Tate to undertake preliminary work.

A City Hall source says the plan to upgrade the Southport aquatic centre was first floated 12 months ago after a high level visit.

A bus tour which had included Mayor Tate, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and top level swimmers along with department heads visited the precinct, which hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games swimming.

Talks have been held to put a roof on the centre. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

It was suggested if there was a change of plans, a need to lower costs for the Games, the pool would be used.

“We were told that the Southport Aquatic Centre was Plan B – it’s always been Plan B,” the source said.

City investigations have only just begun. There is no specific funding item yet in the budget or images available of how roofing will work.

However, there is a strong push within City Hall for the upgrade on the Commonwealth Games pool if the Coast can host swimming at the Olympics given concerns about costs blowout in Brisbane.

In April reports surfaced about delays in the showpiece venue, the $2.5bn Brisbane Arena, which is supposed to host the swimming with a drop-in pool.

The Aquatic Centre with seating during the Commonwealth Games.

Mayor Tom Tate said he was prepared to spend the money on installing a roof on the Centre if it meant delivering a permanent legacy for the 2032 Olympic Games.

“I feel with the Olympics that we are a very safe plan B for the Games particularly if the state government are running out of money, so we would be happy to be the Steven Bradbury of 2032 and come from behind to help out with the various sports,” he said.

“We have the balance sheet to do it, we have the accommodation, we will have an athletes’ village and most of all we would be happy to do it.

“Talk to swimmers, talk to patrons, talk to Michael Phelps and we have held the Pan Pacific championships here, it doesn’t make sense (to have a temporary venue for swimming in Brisbane.

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Michael Phelps was happy to race in our pool, he got one of his best times here and I am happy to build a roof too if they decide it’s cheaper to hold it here because the opposite of legacy is having something which is temporary.

“There’s no legacy in it.”

The Bulletin understands no official talks have begun with Swimming Australia officials. But sporting leaders strongly support the venue.

The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre which hosted the swimming and diving at the 2018 Commonwealth Games received criticism in 2014 when torrential rain marred the Pan-Pacific Championships.

The state government and council in 2016 ruled out even a temporary roof saying they did not want a “Bunnings on the Broadwater”.

Both Games Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and city councillors then talked up the marketing benefits of an open-air swimming venue similar to the pool at the Rio Olympics.

Council sources then suggested a roof will add another $20 million to a $45 million facility.