Partnership enables revival of plans for Brisbane Ski Jump Facility

A new collaboration between the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA), the Federal Government through Sport Australia, the Queensland Government and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) will see Brisbane become the home of the Southern Hemisphere’s first year-round freestyle ski-jumping facility.

Reviving plans dropped by the former Queensland Government in 2012, the $6.5 million International Freestyle Skiing Training Facility is to be built at the Sleeman Sports Complex at Chandler.

Set to host elite aerial and mogul skiers, athletes of all ages and abilities seeking to develop in these disciplines and overseas sports tourists, the project will be managed by the OWIA, who have been instrumental in securing this Australian-first facility.

Advising that the go-ahead is a tremendous boost for Winter Olympic sport in Australia, OWIA Chair Geoff Henke stated “I am excited this facility will come to fruition and continue to develop Australian freestyle skiers of all ages and abilities.

“At the elite level this will eliminate a competitive disadvantage, allowing Australian athletes to train at home that provides a critical edge. It also provides a talent pathway to identify and develop talent from the grassroots up to ensure Winter Sports continue to grow.

“After working to develop this project for a long time, my heartfelt thanks go to the Federal Government and AOC for the funding, the Queensland Government who have provided a home for this world-class facility and the Australian institute of Sport for ongoing support in developing winter athletes.”

Federal Sports Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie says the Government’s $4.5 million contribution creates the opportunity for Australia to produce the next generation of Olympic champions to join the likes of Alisa Camplin, Dale Beg-Smith and Lydia Lassila.

Senator McKenzie advised “our Australian winter athletes have been so successful in freestyle skiing despite their training disadvantages, and they have inspired the next generation of participants in skiing - and hopefully producing more Olympic heroes.

“(We) are proud to support this project that will give future athletes a world-leading facility at home.”

Queensland Sports Minister Mick de Brenni says the water ramp is a perfect addition to the Sleeman Sports Centre which already provides a training base for community, emerging and elite athletes across a wide range of sports.

He added “Brisbane’s fantastic climate means this facility can be used year-round, making it the premier Winter Olympic training venue for the region and one of only two in the world available 12 months of the year.

“Not only will this cater for Australia’s Winter Olympic athletes, it will attract international teams to Queensland to train at this facility, ensuring year-round use and an additional revenue stream for the complex.”

AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll says significant investment from the Federal Government, the Queensland Government’s contribution of the site and the AOC’s own financial contribution is a shot in the arm for aspiring athletes and future Winter Olympians.

Carroll stated “this project is a great example of a partnership between sport and government delivering positive outcomes.

“Australian athletes have logged thousands of training days at overseas facilities in the past five years - this ramp means the country’s best talent can be identified, developed and reach their peak performance right here at home, inspiring countless Australians while being close to family and their community. This is time and funding that will be invested here in Australia rather than at overseas facilities.

“A series of different sized ramps will be available for a variety of standards. It will provide the opportunity for our athletes to train ahead of the next Winter Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022 and beyond.”

The Sleeman Sports Centre currently offers an Olympic-sized pool, accommodation, gymnastic centre, fitness centre and athlete rehabilitation as well as the Anna Meares velodrome and BMX track, making it a hub for talent development and performance for current and future Olympians.

OWIA will work closely with Stadiums Queensland to manage the facility.

After the former Queensland Government dropped plans for a Winter Olympic ski-jump training ramp at the Sleeman Sports Complex in 2012, the NSW Government has announced it would proceed with a facility at Lake Ainsworth site in 2106.

This plan was dropped in 2017.

Colliers International is managing construction of the water ramp, with work expected to begin mid-2019, with practical completion due early 2020.

Images: The planned International Freestyle Skiing Training Facility is to be built at the Sleeman Sports Complex (top), the ski jump as it was envisaged in 2011 (middle) and the NSW Government's 2016 plans for a ski jump at Lake Ainsworth (below).