Olympic Chief of Australia Supports Evaluation of Gabba Cricket Ground Renovation for 2032 Games
The redevelopment of Brisbane’s Gabba cricket venue as the focal point of the 2032 Olympics has been reviewed by the Queensland government, which has been welcomed by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
The stadium’s reconstruction, which was necessary to accommodate athletics and ceremonies during Australia’s third Summer Olympics, was a component of the Woolloongabba suburb’s A$2.7 billion ($1.76 billion) renovation.
Midway through December, Steven Miles, the newly appointed Premier of Queensland, made the announcement that the redevelopment proposal will be put on hold until after a study that is expected to report on March 18.
An ardent supporter of the project, Miles acknowledged this week that he had not been able to persuade the people of Queensland of its need and hinted that a plan other than a complete reconstruction may turn out to be a superior solution.
On Thursday, President Ian Chesterman said that the AOC was in complete agreement with the examination of the Gabba redevelopment, stating that it did not meet the modern-day host city requirements set down by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“The objective of the IOC’s New Norm process is to guarantee that the Games are reasonably priced and environmentally friendly, with a strong emphasis on utilizing pre-existing or temporary facilities,” the statement said.
“We think there are other, more inventive ways to ensure our sports have a legacy and to provide fans even more access to an amazing Olympic and Paralympic Games than renovating the Gabba for the Games.
“The review committee will be presented with these ideas.”
Under the New Norm approach, a more focused bidding process intended to save host cities hundreds of millions of dollars and increase long-term sustainability, Brisbane was awarded the right to host the Olympics in 2021.
About 80 percent of the venues for the 2032 Games are already set, with the only two significant building projects being the A$2.5 billion swimming facility sponsored by the federal government and the revamp of the Gabba.
