Look inside Moreton Bay’s new $205m Olympic centre

Plans for Moreton Bay’s multi-million dollar Olympic venue have taken a key step forward with the appointment of its principal architect - and release of new pictures.

Populous has been announced as the lead architect for the $205 million Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, at Moreton Bay Central in Petrie.

The global design company’s resume includes the 2003 redevelopment of Suncorp Stadium, the Sphere in Las Vegas, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Stadium and Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park.

Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre will feature 12 multi-use courts with a Games capacity for 10,000 spectators on a level site at the former paper mill site.

It is not yet known which sport (or sports) the venue will host for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

But, Populous Lead Architect Brayden Goodwin said the venue had been designed to serve the community well beyond the Games.

“Moreton Bay is one of the fastest-growing regions in Queensland,” he said.

“As one of the largest facilities of its kind in South-East Queensland, the new Centre will help address the increasing community demand for indoor sports facilities in the region and will be designed by Populous with legacy in mind.

Sports listed in the Olympic Games Delivery Plan included basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton, futsal, wheelchair rugby and pickleball.

The State Government says Brisbane Olympic Stadium design team of COX Architecture, Hassell and Azusa Sekkei has locked in critical features including field size, field orientation and the stadium’s location within Victoria Park.

Field of play size and shape – to be the equivalent of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and proposed field of play is supported by AFL, Cricket Australia, concert promotors and Brisbane 2032.

Early preparatory works will commence on site from June 1, as soon as the land tenure is transferred to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA).

Architectus, which designed the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, has been selected as the Principal Architect for the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrades.

Upgrades include a tenfold increase in grandstand capacity, from 1046 to more than 10,000 seats, with new eastern and western grandstands, new community and event spaces, and improved player amenities and accessibility.

“These landmark venues and their surrounding infrastructure are taking shape fast and will be worthy homes and major drawcards for the state’s sporting and cultural events long after the Games,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said: “We’ve been working calmly and methodically, but also quickly to lock in details and appointments for our 2032 and beyond venues, which will deliver generational and city-shaping infrastructure and economic benefits.”