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Sleeman Sports Complex

Coordinates: 27°30′47″S 153°08′49″E / 27.513°S 153.147°E / -27.513; 153.147
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27°30′47″S 153°08′49″E / 27.513°S 153.147°E / -27.513; 153.147

Brisbane Aquatic Centre, 2014

The Sleeman Centre (also known as the Sleeman Sports Complex) is a sporting and entertainment facility located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Construction of the centre was completed in 1982, with several upgrades and improvements having been carried out since that date. Located on Old Cleveland Road in the suburb of Chandler, the centre is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) east of Brisbane's CBD and is home to an aquatic centre, velodrome, sports arena, gymnastics training hall, gymnasium and auditorium. The centre currently offers a range of services to the public, including indoor and outdoor community activities such as swimming, diving, health and fitness classes, a gymnasium, childcare facilities, and a children's pool and water slide.

History

The Sleeman Sports Centre was purpose-built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games,[1] the centre has also 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 centre was originally constructed to host the Commonwealth Games, but has been used for a number of purposes since its completion including private functions, public entertainment events (both in sport and the arts), accommodation, retail, venue hire, and a variety of others. Notable upgrades in recent times have included a gymnasium, a children's pool and play area and a large enclosed water slide.

Both the suburb of Chandler and the Sleeman centre itself are named after Brisbane Lord Mayors Sir John Beals Chandler[1] and Frank Sleeman.

The facilities were to host six sporting events as part of the failed 1992 Olympic bid.[2] During the 2013 Queensland floods the site was setup as an evacuation facility.[3]

Facilities

Aquatic Centre

50-metre indoor Olympic pool at Brisbane 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 25m diving pool (5m depth), and a 25m lap pool (1m depth). The aquatic centre has a seating capacity of 4,300 and has diving facilities, and 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 25m lap pool, a large enclosed water slide and a children's pool. All facilities are open to the public, while the main aquatic centre is the venue for many sporting events and may be hired by schools and other organisations.[citation needed]

Following is a summary of the Aquatic Centre's notable features

  • 50-metre, 10 lane Olympic pool
  • Diving pool with 10-metre, 7-metre, 5-metre, 3-metre, 1-metre and 0.5-metre diving boards and platforms
  • 25-metre pool
  • Omega electronics with Ares 21 timing gear system
  • Daktronics Pro star Video Display Board
  • Grandstand seating for 4,350 people plus corporate boxes
  • Meeting or seminar rooms
  • Gymnasium/aerobics
  • Childcare
  • Café with indoor and outdoor seating
  • Giant water slide
  • Learn to swim school
  • Chandler swim shop
  • Sports Medicine Services
  • Queensland Swimming
  • Australian Institute of Sport
  • Diving Australia
  • Queensland Diving

Anna Meares Velodrome

Anna Meares Velodrome

The Anna Meares Velodrome is a 250-metre (820 ft) 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, 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. Apart from an Olympic standard cycling track, the venue also had a private lounge and function area, omega timing equipment and scoreboard, catering facilities, and lighting for night functions and events. The Norm Gailey Grandstand on the western side also contained offices of AusCycling Queensland, the peak body for cycling in Queensland.

Chandler Theatre

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. Each seat has an unobstructed stage view due to the tiered floor plan. Other facilities include large back-stage areas, computerised stage lighting, meeting rooms, state-of-the-art sound system, box office, refreshment bar and a corporate viewing area and boardroom. The venue is used for such events as graduations, conventions, awards ceremonies, product launches, seminars and concerts.

State weightlifting centre

All venues are within walking distance of the car parks which contain a total 2,020 parking spaces (2,000 regular and 20 disabled). The car-parks also contain lighting for night time use.

Brisbane BMX Supercross Track

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.[4] The project was a joint initiative of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, state and federal governments and the Australian Olympic Committee.[5]

Services

Lake and parklands
  • Accommodation (seven 3-star, 4-bedroom units available)
  • Poolside Café
  • Catering (located onsite for in-house events and functions)
  • Retail (Chandler swim-shop)
  • Childcare (Puddle Ducks Adjunct Child Care)
  • Sports Medicine (physiotherapy, radiology, massage, rehabilitation exercise programs)
  • Chandler Markets (every Sunday, 7am-1pm. Over 300 stalls, live jazz bands, barbecue)
  • Public Transport Park'n'Ride Facility (to be connected to the proposed Eastern Busway)

Tenants and clubs

Aquatic

  • Aquatic Achievers Swim School
  • Australian Diving
  • Chandler Swim Shop
  • Queensland Diving Association
  • Queensland Swimming
  • Aquatic Education
  • Aqualina Synchronised Swimming
  • Aussie Masters Swimming
  • Brisbane Springboard Diving
  • Chandler Swim Club
  • Donnet Diving
  • Oceanas Synchronised Swimming Club
  • Queensland Underwater Hockey
  • R.A.P.S. Diving – Redlands Amateur Platform & Springboard Diving Club
  • CHANDLER Diving Club

Other Sport

  • LS Arena LAN party
  • Australian Institute of Sport
  • BMX Queensland
  • Cycling Queensland Inc
  • Gymnastics Queensland
  • Peter De Been Jiu Jitsu
  • Queensland Badminton
  • Queensland Weightlifting
  • Tumble Weeds Gymnastics
  • Brisbane Southern Districts Junior Soccer Association Inc.
  • Bayside Indoor Soccer
  • Queensland Firebirds
  • Chandler Badminton
  • Cougars Weightlifting
  • Wynnum Redlands Cycling
  • Kangaroo Point Cycling
  • Broncos Cycling

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Roberts, Beryl (2013). Naming Brisbane: Origins of Brisbane's Suburb & Locality Names. p. 25. ISBN 9780987231529.
  2. ^ Kleyn, Brittney (23 October 2021). "How a failed Olympic bid paved the way for Brisbane to secure the 2032 Olympic Games". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Live: Flood disaster unfolds as weather wreaks havoc". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  4. ^ Kleyn, Brittney (1 October 2020). "Brisbane becomes new home for Australia's elite aerial skiers ahead of 2022 Winter Olympics". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Work to start on Brisbane ski facility". 7news. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2021.