布里斯班即将关闭两座公共游泳池，引发社区反对。市议会运营的Centenary Pool定于8月30日关闭，[1]随后于9月1日移交给Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority。[1]昆士兰科技大学的Kelvin Grove室内池也计划在同一日期永久关闭。[1]
传奇游泳教练Laurie Lawrence对此举提出批评。[1]他指出"奥运会应该通过增加设施为社区带来益处，而不是关闭设施"，[1]认为这一决定与奥运会应促进社区发展的原则相悖。这一观点得到公众支持，超过1,600人签署请愿书反对QUT游泳池关闭。[1]
布里斯班北区的游泳设施短缺问题因关闭而加剧。目前北区每64,000人拥有一座市议会游泳池，而南区为每53,000人。[1]Centenary Pool关闭后，北区的人均游泳池比例将恶化至每72,000人一座。[1]布里斯班人口截至2025年6月已达138万，但自2021年普查以来未建造任何新游泳池。[1]
数据显示社区对现有游泳设施的使用需求旺盛。在2025年12月至2026年2月期间，超758,000名居民参与Summer Dips计划，其中Newmarket Pool最受欢迎，访问量达92,081次。[1]
Brisbane is set to close two public swimming pools, with the city council-operated Centenary Pool closing on August 30 and Queensland University of Technology's Kelvin Grove indoor pool scheduled for permanent closure on September 1 [1]. The closures have prompted legendary swimming coach Laurie Lawrence to speak out against the decision, arguing that the Olympic Games should expand community facilities rather than reduce them [1].
The timing and equity concerns are particularly stark given Brisbane's demographic growth. The city's population has reached 1.38 million as of June 2025, yet no new swimming pools have been constructed since the 2021 census [1]. The northern suburbs are already facing a shortage—currently one council-operated pool per 64,000 residents compared to one per 53,000 in the south [1]. Once Centenary Pool closes, that ratio will deteriorate to one pool per 72,000 residents in the north [1].
Community opposition has been substantial, with more than 1,600 people signing a petition against the QUT pool's closure [1]. The demand for public swimming facilities remains evident: during the Summer Dips program between December 2025 and February 2026, more than 758,000 residents participated, with Newmarket Pool proving the most popular venue at 92,081 visits [1]. Lawrence's position encapsulates the broader concern: "The Olympic Games should benefit communities by increasing facilities, not closing them" [1].