Then & Now: Optus Aquatic Centre

Montage of images of the Optus Aquatic Centre

GC2018

13 Mar 2018 by Fiona Self

Aspiring Gold Coast swimmers have been logging laps of the Optus Aquatic Centre – formerly known as Southport Pool – since 1964.

It’s become a landmark of Southport Broadwater Parklands and in April, we’ll invite the world to the Optus Aquatic Centre as GC2018's Diving and Swimming champions are crowned.

To prepare for GC2018, the centre had a $42 million upgrade as a GC2018 legacy project and joint funding initiative by the Queensland Government and the City of Gold Coast.

Take a scroll down memory lane – the Optus Aquatic Centre, then and now.

1960s

The Optus Aquatic Centre used to be known as the Southport Pool.

Southport Olympic Pool Complex with the Pier Theatre in the Background. — *Southport Olympic Pool Complex with the Pier Theatre in background, Southport, Queensland, circa 1960s. Photographer unknown. Source: The City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection*

Aerial view of the Southport Olympic swimming pool complex 1966 — *Aerial view of the Southport Olympic Swimming Pool Complex, Queensland, 1966. Photographer unknown. Source: The City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection*

1970s

The Southport Olympic Pool Swimming Complex circa 1970 — *The Southport Olympic Pool Swimming Complex, Southport, circa 1970. Photographer unknown. Source: The City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection*

2012

In the late 2000s, the centre's name was changed to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

*Changing rooms at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, 2012. Photographer: K Stephan. Source:The City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection*

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre pool 2012 — *Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, 2012. Photographer: K Stephan. Source:The City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection*

2013

The upgrade ahead of GC2018 is underway!

Construction of the upgraded Optus Aquatic Centre — *May 2013*

Optus Aquatic Centre under construction. September 2013 — *September 2013*

2014

The pool lights up for the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, the first major championship held in the upgraded facility.

The centre under bright lights for the Pan Pacs 2014 — *August 2014*

2018

The stands are in and the stage is set for the 2018 Australian Swimming Trials.

*The Optus Aquatic Centre at dusk. March 2018*

The sun sets on a day of competition at Optus Aquatic Centre — *The sun sets on a day of competition.*

See the amazing artists and athletes in action at GC2018. Tickets are still available for great sports including Athletics, Hockey, Squash, Boxing and the Basketball Preliminaries.

Heading to GC2018 Diving or Swimming? Make sure to read the Venue Guide before the Games begin.

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