Sleeman Centre (Brisbane)


The Sleeman Centre 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 in the suburb of Chandler, the centre is 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 is one of Queensland's premier sporting facilities, located in Brisbane, Queensland. Purpose-built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games, 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, 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. In addition to this, each venue has received various make-overs throughout the life of the centre.
Both the suburb of Chandler and the Sleeman centre itself are named after Brisbane Lord Mayors Sir John Beals Chandler and Frank Sleeman.

Facilities

Aquatic Centre

The Brisbane Aquatic Centre consists of four main swimming pools, a 50-metre indoor Olympic pool, a 50-metre outdoor Olympic pool a 25m diving pool, and a 25m lap pool. 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.
Following is a summary of the Aquatic Centre's notable features
The old facility, Chandler Velodrome still stands, however a new 250 m indoor track called the Anna Meares Velodrome was completed in 2016. It hosted the track cycling events at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The old Chandler Velodrome 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 Cycling Queensland who are the peak body for the sport in the state of Queensland.

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. The car-parks also contain lighting for night time use.

Brisbane BMX Supercross Track

Sleeman Sports Complex is home to Australia's only Olympic Standard BMX Supercross Track.

Services

Aquatic