Historic AIS Athletes Village Set for Demolition in Major $250 Million Revamp
The Australian Institute of Sport is poised for its most significant transformation in over four decades, with plans to demolish the original athlete accommodation block as part of a sweeping $250 million upgrade. This historic building, which has housed generations of Australian sporting icons since its opening in October 1985, will make way for cutting-edge facilities designed to propel athletes towards success at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games and beyond.
From Legendary Residence to Modern Marvel
The soon-to-be-demolished athletes village has served as a home away from home for numerous Australian sporting greats, including basketball superstar Patty Mills and Olympic swimming champion Michael Klim. Its replacement will be a world-class high-performance testing and training centre, marking a pivotal shift in Australia's sports infrastructure strategy.
Australian Sports Commission chief Kieren Perkins has confirmed that demolition work is likely to commence in June, describing this as the initial phase of "the biggest upgrade of the AIS since it was built." The project represents a crucial investment in Australia's sporting future, addressing concerns that the Bruce precinct facilities had become outdated after nearly two decades of relative neglect.
Overcoming Asbestos Challenges
Initial plans to demolish the building faced significant hurdles when asbestos was discovered within the walls of the athletes village. This discovery raised fears that project costs could escalate dramatically, potentially jeopardising the entire redevelopment scheme.
However, Australian Sports Commission officials have now confirmed a solution: the costs associated with the safe removal of asbestos will be drawn from a separate funding pool. This arrangement ensures that the $249.7 million allocated for the Bruce campus rejuvenation remains intact and fully dedicated to the construction of new, state-of-the-art facilities.
Three Pillars of Sporting Excellence
The ambitious redevelopment project will deliver three major new facilities at the Bruce campus, collectively known as the AIS Podium Project:
- A multi-level, fully para-accessible accommodation building featuring up to 200 beds
- An indoor sports dome providing climate-controlled, multi-sport training spaces
- A new testing and training centre equipped with cutting-edge technology for athlete development
Perkins emphasised the long-term vision behind these investments, stating: "The three new world-class buildings will ensure our athletes have access to the best testing, training and accommodation not only in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, but for generations to come."
Ensuring Continuity for Athletes
While the demolition of the Athletes Village will temporarily reduce accommodation capacity at the Canberra campus, officials have confirmed that athletes will not be displaced during construction. Instead, they will be accommodated in the AIS Residence of Champions while the new facilities take shape.
The project also includes complementary developments such as a new environmental chamber and altitude living facility, ensuring Australian athletes have access to world-class training resources without needing to travel overseas.
Realising a Gold Medal Vision
This major infrastructure investment represents the culmination of planning that began almost two years ago, when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the largest AIS funding package in forty years. The revitalisation of the 64-hectare Bruce site is viewed as essential to restoring the AIS's reputation as a "gold medal factory" capable of producing world-beating athletes.
With the Brisbane Olympic Games now less than a decade away, the timing of this upgrade could not be more critical. The demolition of the historic athletes village marks both an end to an era and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Australian sport, one that promises to deliver facilities worthy of the nation's sporting ambitions.
