Paralympic centre of excellence heads ‘vision list’ for Brisbane 2032
A state-of-the art Paralympic centre will likely form part of the legacy of the Brisbane 2032 games as community and business leaders get their say on how the month long event will shape Queensland.
An artist's impression of the planned Paralympics Centre of Excellence, to be jointly funded by the state and federal governments and will be building at the University of Queensland as a legacy project for the Brisbane 2032 Games. (Image: Supplied)
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will on Wednesday speak at a forum in Brisbane where 500 people will gather to lay out different visions for the games’ impact.
Close to 12,000 ideas have already been gathered through a survey of people from around Australia and overseas.
Revitalising First Nations languages in schools and at the opening ceremony, free sport for every child and improved disability access are among the broad range of submissions.
“The legacy process is one way we are ensuring as many people as possible can share their ideas and share the pride of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The survey and the forum will form the Brisbane 2032 legacy plan that will go through public consultation before its release later this year.
Further details of the new Paralympic centre are also expected to be outlined by the premier on Wednesday.
“Brisbane 2032 is our opportunity to build infrastructure and create legacy that will benefit Queenslanders for decades to come,” said Deputy Premier Steven Miles.
“A facility like this would train more Paralympians and provide education and research opportunities for more Queenslanders.”
The facility will be housed at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus and include international standard venues, a wheelchair and prosthetics workshop and dedicated testing facilities.
The Queensland Government and University have committed to funding $44 million each, and it’s hoped the Federal Government will match the support.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2027-28.
“This will be the first Centre of Excellence of its kind anywhere in the world combining leading research, sport technology, rehabilitation, and a potential runway to a Paralympics medal podium in 2032,” said Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.
It will set a new international benchmark for inclusion and elite Paralympic sport as the first of many tangible legacies Queenslanders have told us they want from the 2032 Games.
With facilities at the University of Queensland already geared to 20 out of 23 current Paralympic sports, the St Lucia campus is a ready-made location for an enduring legacy.”
