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The City of Gold Coast has revealed the long-mooted plans to upgrade the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre with a roof to be added over the venue’s 50 metre pool.

As reported by the Gold Coast Bulletin, the council adding a roof to the Southport facility - used as the main venue for aquatic sport during the 2018 Commonwealth Games - would potentially see the venue used during the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and as part of a bid to host the 2031 World Aquatics Championships.

The Council is understood to be investigating plans for both permanent and temporary roofing at the venue.

The Gold Coast Bulletin quoted a source within the council advising “we will make the proper decision. We don’t want a concrete box style rolled over it.”

The likely $200 million cost would be met by the City funding an estimated $50 million and the rest of the estimated $150 million total cost provided by the Queensland and Federal Governments.

However, the Gold Coast Bulletin went on to suggest that the Gold Coast “can quite easily have the world championship in 2028”.

However, this would appear to be unlikely as the schedule for the biennial Championships will see the event staged in Singapore in 2025, the Hungarian capital of Budapest in 2027 and the Chinese capital of Beijing in 2029. Thus the earliest date for the Gold Coast to stage the event would be 2031.

Referencing temporary stands used at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre during the Commonwealth and Pan Pacific Games, Mayor Tate was quoted as saying “the only missing element is the roof, and would say that I would go towards the fabric type roof … it won’t be fully enclosed - the wind and fresh air can go through. “

Images: The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre from the air (top) and an artist's impression of the proposed roof for the 50 metre pool (below).

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