Brisbane's Centenary Pool to Close for Big Olympic Upgrade

Topic: Olympic Games Venues

Saturday, 8 August 2026, at 7:07 am

Brisbane's Centenary Pool in 1960.

Brisbane's historic Centenary Pool will close at the end of August for a major upgrade for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The pool, now a heritage site, was first opened in 1959 and became Brisbane's first Olympic-standard pool.

The centre was built after Australia's success in swimming at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, where Australia won eight gold medals.

A busy day at the Centenary Pool.

The pool was designed by Brisbane City's architect, James Birrel.

Mr Birrel passed away in 2019, but his son, Jack Birrell, remembers the pool fondly.

Mr Birrell said, 'I remember my dad holding my hand and walking me through the project as a child.'

Mr Birrell said his dad believed in making public buildings that were good for everyone, not just financially.

The pool had a restaurant above the water, which was a popular spot for special events.

The restaurant was a popular spot for wedding receptions.

Important people would go to the restaurant to see and be seen.

Childhood memories

Donna Hansen, 67, grew up in Brisbane's northern suburbs and visited the pool often as a child.

She said, 'We would go to the pool from when it opened to when it closed, all day.'

People enjoyed swimming at the Centenary Pool.

Donna said, 'It was amazing, but the walk back to the bus stop was not fun.'

Allana French has been going to the pool for about 40 years.

Ms French remembers a special smell from an Indian restaurant that used to be at the pool.

She said, 'I can remember the smell of curries from the restaurant.'

Allana French has been visiting the pool for about 40 years.

Greg Mahony, 79, used to visit the pool as a schoolboy on Saturdays.

He said, 'It was fun, jumping off the high tower, and I tried to teach myself to swim.'

The pool will be given to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority on September 1.

The Centenary Pool will be part of a new National Aquatic Centre with three new pools and seating for 8,800 people.

The diving tower at the Centenary Pool is memorable for many people.

Mr Mahony hopes the site will remain a community pool and help Australia's swimming team.

Olympian Mark Stockwell won three medals for Australia in swimming at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

He helped push for the pool's redevelopment in the 1990s, and it was listed on Queensland's Heritage Register.

Olympic swimmer Mark Stockwell.

He hopes the pool will be looked after and preserved for the community.

Mark Stockwell said, 'The pool was a gift from the Queensland government to the people of Brisbane for its centenary in 1959.'

He said, 'It's an important history, and it's an important thing to preserve.'

See more ABC coverage.

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