Centenary Pool

The Centenary Pool complex is historically significant as the Brisbane City Council’s principal contribution to the Brisbane and Queensland 1959 centenary celebrations. Its construction also reflects the enormous popularity of competitive swimming in Australia following the successful 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

It demonstrates the details, materials, and construction methods of a sculptural variant of Post-War International style. Nationally, Centenary Pool is a significant example of a 1950s Olympic-standard pool and diving pool complex, and can be ranked in importance with the Melbourne and Canberra Olympic pools.

It is sophisticated in its design conception, and inventive in its sculptural and decorative detailing.

Its social significance lies in its contribution to the development of competitive swimming in Brisbane, having been the city’s principal aquatic sports centre from 1959 to 1980. It is also the only pool in Brisbane that has a four-level diving tower with single boards at each level and a diving pool measuring 90 ft by 60 ft.

The complex is important as one of the major civic works designed by prominent Queensland architect James Birrell. Explore more of Brisbane’s hidden secrets at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for ‘heritage trails’.