Brisbane's historic Centenary Pool, a heritage-listed site and the city's first Olympic standard pool, will close at the end of August 2026 to undergo significant redevelopment in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled for 2032.

The pool originally opened to the public in 1959 as a gift from the Queensland government to the Brisbane City Council and the people of Brisbane, commemorating the city's centenary. It was designed by Brisbane City architect James Birrel, who passed away in 2019. His son, Jack Birrell, a Tasmanian-based architect, recalled, "I can actually remember as a child, Dad holding my hand and walking me through the project."

The creation of the Centenary Pool reflected a national enthusiasm for swimming following Australia's success at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, where the host country won eight gold medals in swimming events.

Local residents have fond memories of the pool. Donna Hansen, 67, who grew up in Brisbane's northern suburbs, said she visited the pool "two or three times a week" during summers as a child. Allana French has been a regular visitor for about 40 years.

In its heyday, the pool was not only a popular swimming venue but also featured a restaurant above it that was a favored spot for wedding receptions.

The redevelopment aims to modernize the facility to meet the demands of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking the end of an era for a beloved community landmark.

Sources