Then & Now: Optus Aquatic Centre
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.


1970s

2012
In the late 2000s, the centre's name was changed to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.


2013
The upgrade ahead of GC2018 is underway!


2014

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

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



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.