A Paralympic Centre of Excellence is to be established at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, providing world-leading support and training for para-athletes in the lead-up to the 2032 Games.
The Centre is expected to include international-standard sport venues, a wheelchair and prosthetics workshop; dedicated testing facilities and access to the university’s students and education
Announcing the Centre, Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said it would inspire more para-athletes to compete in 2032.
“It also provides invaluable research and other opportunities for our community,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This is what Legacy is all about: The long-lasting benefits to our community long after the closing ceremonies.”
She said construction would begin in 2025-26 and be completed in 2027-28. The Centre would then cater for 20 of the 23 Paralympic sports.
Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure, Steven Miles said Brisbane 2023 was an opportunity to build infrastructure and create a legacy that would benefit Queenslanders for decades to come.
“A facility like this will train more Paralympians and provide education and research opportunities for more Queenslanders,” Dr Miles said.
Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement, Stirling Hinchliffe said the facility would be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, combining leading research, sport technology and rehabilitation.
“It will set an international benchmark for inclusion and elite Paralympic sport as the first of many tangible legacies Queenslanders have told us they want from the 2032 Games,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
