Pool timetable

The Anna Meares Velodrome

Sleeman Sports Complex became home to Queensland’s first indoor velodrome in September 2016.

The $59 million facility is a Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) legacy project, jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments.

The venue hosted the GC2018 Track Cycling competition, which featured 20 medal events, including four para-sport. Races are categorised as sprint or endurance, and individual or team.

Design Features

  • The facility features a world-class, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) standard indoor 250 metre timber cycling track, installed by renowned track designer and installer SportBAU Schuermann GMBH;
  • The banking on the track is 43.9 degrees at its steepest and 12 degrees along the straights;
  • On the track cyclists can reach speeds in excess of 70km/h;
  • The velodrome features a ‘fat’ (or wide) track which favours team pursuit cycling and is advantageous for training as the speed can be held throughout the turn. Wide tracks are now considered the international norm, so it is advantageous that we have a track which prepares our cyclists to compete with the best;
  • The design of the track is considered to be wide with smooth transitions through the bends;
  • The venue has 1,500 permanent seats with provision for expansion to 4,000 with the addition of temporary seating;
  • It is the first velodrome in the world to have full LED broadcast quality lighting;
  • The building was designed to protect the track from the elements and control wind and temperature conditions that can affect cycling performance;
  • The building is tucked into the side of a sloping site to reduce its visual impact on its bushy surrounds and projects outwards from the hill on its lower side to create an external amphitheatre, with a saddle-shaped roof which was influenced by the circular shape of the track;
  • The velodrome also contains a function room which overlook the cycling track (which you can hire here) and has provision for a mixed-use indoor sports court in the infield, such as futsal; and
  • Athletes and visitors also have access to a high performance recovery facility, change rooms and amenities, office space and meeting rooms, a gym and a café.
CONSTRUCTION


The project began in March 2015 and was finalised in November 2016.

  • The building sits on a site approximately 20 000 metres square, with a building footprint area of 12,000 metres square;
  • The entire roof span is 117m north to south, and 113m east to west, with a clearance of 10.5m, and includes an intricate 165 tonne steel oculus;
  • The entire steel superstructure weighs 1165 tonnes and took approximately 30,000 workshop hours to fabricate;
  • 10,000sqm of fabric membrane was used for roof cladding and 2000sqm for the wall fabric, with extensive areas of translucent fabric roofing to maximise daylight use and minimise power consumption;
  • The facility features louvre windows as track cycling favours hot and humid conditions and fans are not permitted during some events;
  • The facility was designed by Cox Architecture, and construction was overseen by Watpac.


SSC-Anna-Meares-Velodrome-Construction-Strip.jpg


AWARDS
  • Best Major Steel Project - Australian Steel Institute (State Awards) - Arup
  • Winner for Steel Excellence in Engineering Projects - 2016 ASI National Awards - Arup
  • State Award, Public Architecture - Queensland State Architecture Awards - Cox Architecture
  • Sporting Facility Construction Award - Master Builders Brisbane Housing & Construction - Cox Architecture
  • Kevin Borland Masonry Award Finalist - Concrete Masonry  Association of Australia - Cox Architecture
  • Gold award, Design Innovation - Consult Australia Awards for Excellence - Arup



 

What are the benefits of this facility?
The Anna Meares Velodrome attracts community and high performance athletes, elite and club training squads and competition events, which help to further the development of cycling in Queensland. The world class facility also provides an intimate environment where spectators can get up close to the action, which is vital when watching a fast-paced sport focussed on power, endurance and tactics. The multi-purpose venue has seen steady growth in Futsal activity, fitness centre membership and has welcomed various cycling events and special events.

Who is Anna Meares?
Anna Meares is Australia’s most successful track cyclist. The Order of Australia recipient has won six Olympic Games medals (two of them gold), eight Commonwealth Games medals (five of them gold) and is the most decorated female track cyclist of all time. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Anna became the first Australian female gold medallist in track cycling, winning the 500 metres time trial. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Anna won bronze in the women’s keirin, becoming the first Australian athlete to win a medal at four Olympic Games. We are very honoured that our facility bears her name!
 
Can the public use the facility?
Definitely! Book a 'Come and Try' Session via the AusCycling Queensland website, access open training sessions, sign-up for regular coaching and practice sessions, or enquire about accreditation sessions.
 
If you are looking to hire the indoor or outdoor velodrome for private or competition use, please get in touch with our Events Team.