History beckons as Centenary Pool begins transformation

GIICA takes possession of the Spring Hill-side of Victoria Park including Centenary Pool today, Tuesday 1 September 2026. Centenary Pool closed to the public yesterday, with the weekend marked by final swims and community get-togethers. The site of the future NAC has been fenced, with work beginning immediately to prepare the site for early works and construction to start in 2027.

A large area of Victoria Park on the Spring Hill side currently remains open for use by the public. This may change as works progress.

The NAC design complements the heritage-listed Centenary Pool. An award-winning design team consisting of ARM Architecture, Queensland’s Arkhefield and NH Architecture have imagined a NAC inspired by the movement of wind and water.

Featuring a unique rippling roofline, the open, multi-storey design of the NAC embraces its sloping, parkland setting to capture breeze and light and bring nature indoors with a green central concourse. Together the three leading firms have experience delivering indoor sports centres, heritage redevelopments and public buildings across Australia.

Opened in 1959, Centenary Pool will undergo refurbishment as part of the development, honouring its original design for the enjoyment of future generations.  Centenary Pool was Brisbane's first Olympic standard pool and diving pool complex until the construction of the Brisbane Aquatic Centre at Chandler in 1980. The pool was heritage-listed in 1996 and has received multiple honours for its unique design.

The NAC will feature three new covered pools, a gym, high-performance and office spaces, complementing the three existing outdoor pools and amenities of the heritage-listed Centenary Pool.

Designed to host swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the NAC is one of the 17 new and upgraded venues being delivered by the GIICA across Queensland for 2032 and beyond as part of the $7.1 billion Games Venues Infrastructure Program jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.