Sleeman Sports Complex

History

The Sleeman Sports Centre, named after Brisbane Lord Mayor Frank Sleeman, is purpose-built sporting complex for the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Construction of the Centre was completed in 1982. Since then, the Centre has been host to a number of other sporting events including the 1994 World Masters Games and the 2001 Goodwill Games swimming, diving, and cycling events. The facilities were to host six sporting events as part of the failed 1992 Olympic bid.

During the 2013 Queensland floods, the site was set up as an evacuation facility.

Facilities

Aquatic Centre

The Brisbane Aquatic Centre (located at Chandler) consists of four main swimming pools, a 50-metre indoor Olympic pool (2m depth), a 50-metre outdoor Olympic pool (4m to 2m in depth) a 25-metre diving pool (5m depth), and a 25-metre lap pool (1m depth). The Aquatic Centre has a seating capacity of 4,300 and has diving facilities, a moveable bulkhead on the Olympic pool for short course events and a water fun park. The aquatic centre also contains a children's facility which encompasses the 25-metre lap pool, a large enclosed water slide and a children's pool.

Anna Meares Velodrome

The Anna Meares Velodrome is a 250 m indoor velodrome, named in honour of Anna Meares, that was completed in 2016. The velodrome hosted the track cycling events at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and will host the 2032 Summer Olympics.

An older facility, called the Chandler Velodrome which hosted the Track Cycling at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, still stands, and was an outdoor configuration, having a grandstand seating capacity of 3,000. The venue was suitable for cycling events, rock concerts, rallies, motocross and speedway championships. The Norm Gailey Grandstand on the western side also contained offices of AusCycling Queensland.

Chandler Theatre

The Chandler Theatre is one of the largest in South East Queensland, with a 200 square metre stage, and a seating capacity of 1,500.

Brisbane BMX Supercross Track

Sleeman Sports Complex is home to Australia's only Olympic Standard BMX Supercross Track.

Water Ramp

In 2020, a water ramp facility for freestyle ski-jumping was completed. It provides a year-long training facility for Australia's elite aerial skiers. The project was a joint initiative of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, state and federal governments and the Australian Olympic Committee.[[File:Pond at Sleeman Centre, Brisbane.jpg|thumb|Lake and parklands]]

References

References

1. Roberts, Beryl. (2013). "Naming Brisbane: Origins of Brisbane's Suburb & Locality Names". Beryl Roberts.
2. Kleyn, Brittney. (23 October 2021). "How a failed Olympic bid paved the way for Brisbane to secure the 2032 Olympic Games". [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]].
3. . (26 April 2013). ["Live: Flood disaster unfolds as weather wreaks havoc"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-28/qld-flooding-alert-moves-south/4486666?nw=0&r=Collection). *[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]*.
4. O'Flaherty, Antonia. (10 March 2023). "Swimming Australia calls for new acquatics centre to be legacy of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games". [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]].
5. "Sleeman - Brisbane Aquatic Centre".
6. (13 October 2023). "How Olympian Anna Meares helped turn home town's crumbling concrete track into international attraction". ABC News.
7. "Chandler Theatre (Sleeman Sports Complex) | OAG".
8. (11 February 2021). "Brisbane to host BMX World Champs | Newsroom".
9. Kleyn, Brittney. (1 October 2020). "Brisbane becomes new home for Australia's elite aerial skiers ahead of 2022 Winter Olympics". [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]].
10. (26 March 2019). "Work to start on Brisbane ski facility". 7news.