Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Site of Canberra’s Olympic Pool identified as preferred location for new ACT stadium

Site of Canberra’s Olympic Pool identified as preferred location for new ACT stadium
October 27, 2020

Replacing the ageing Canberra Olympic Pool with a purpose-built stadium as the future home for the Brumbies and Raiders appears to be part of ACT Government’s long-term infrastructure plans, with both major political parties agreed that the location remained their preferred option prior to the recent the Territory’s recent election.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said a feasibility study to explore a location in the city and the Exhibition Park site found both locations to be live options, but that the more centrally located Canberra Olympic Pool site remained his preference.

Warning that that a stadium in Exhibition Park risked resembling Sydney Olympic Park unless significant investments were made in the area to make it more active, The Canberra Times has reported Chief Minister Barr as saying “by and large, the Exhibition Park (site) has a lot of land that would be feasible as an event location (and) it doesn’t have the location restrictions that the city location has … but you can still build a stadium in the city.”

Liberal Leader Alastair Coe also stated “if we are to have a new stadium, the Civic (Canberra Olympic Pool) site is the best location, although it poses some problems.”

Logistical challenges for a rectangular stadium on the Canberra Olympic Pool - a possible future home for the Brumbies, Raiders and a possible Canberra A-League team - include the existing site being too small for a so-called boutique stadium with 25,000 seats, which means that the government would require a realignment of an adjacent road (Parkes Way) or a two-lane road tunnel under the development site.

In contrast to Exhibition Park or the city’s current GIO Stadium, the pitch at a stadium on the Canberra Olympic Pool site would have to run in an east-west direction, which is not ideal for the cultivation and maintenance of natural grass, as it concentrates the intense heat on the field.

In one of its pre-election pledges, Labor promised a new indoor venue at Exhibition Park that, in times without a pandemic, would accommodate around 1,500 people for standing community events.

The recent Federal Budget included funding for a realignment Parkes Way.

Image: Architect's concept for a new stadium on the site of the Canberra Olympic Pool.

Related Articles

4th September 2020 - Canberra ice sports facility moves one step forward

1st September 2020 - Huawei ends Canberra Raiders sponsorship citing Australia’s ‘negative’ attitude to Chinese companies

6th August 2020 - Sport Australia looks to sell off part of AIS’ Canberra campus

30th June 2020 - Sport Australia to keep Canberra’s AIS Arena closed for remainder of the year

9th March 2020 - Official opening for new Canberra Raiders base

3rd December 2019 - Canberra’s Manuka Pool reopens after $2.42 million upgrade

23rd October 2019 - Media report ‘fury’ over Canberra Olympic Pool’s segregated gender sessions

20th January 2016 - Canberra Olympic Pool continues to leak despite repair work

11th September 2020 - ACT Government to double GIO Stadium capacity limit for Super Rugby AU Final

11th February 2020 - ACT Government to spend $200,000 on stadium feasibility study

10th June 2018 - Plans for ‘boutique’ stadiums emerge for Canberra and the Gold Coast

5th August 2013 - Refurbishment revealed at Exhibition Park in Canberra

29th January 2015 - Rebranded ‘CBR’ Canberra tourism campaign video released


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

The Pool Enclosure Company

Now TPEC Pool Enclosures - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/tpec-pool-enclosures

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

24/7 Software

The world's greatest properties run on 24/7 Software Whether at commercial properties, corporate facilities, sports arenas, or public entertainment venues, we're proud to lead the way in…

read more

Entertainment / Security / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Envibe

With its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…

read more

Aquatics / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

SLE WORLDWIDE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

SLE Worldwide Australia is a Managing General Underwriter specialising in insuring risks in the world of Sports, Leisure and Entertainment. Be it relaxing, playing, organising or watching sports,…

read more

Insurance / Venues

 
 

GymMaster

Contact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Spill Station Australia

Compliant chemical storage and decanting solutions. Includes spill kits, spill containment pallets, chemical decanting decks and safety shower and eyewash equipment. See our full range of solutions

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Security / Venues

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business