AIS Podium Project

Why is it happening now?

The AIS has been the home of Australian sport for more than four decades. While it continues to play a critical role for our athletes and sports, some key facilities, including the Athletes’ Village, no longer meet the needs of today’s athletes. 

The AIS Podium Project ensures the campus remains fit for purpose, future-focused and capable of supporting athletes and sports on the road to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond. 

What will the new buildings look like and where will they be built? 

The new facilities will be located within the existing AIS campus footprint and designed to integrate with surrounding buildings and open spaces. 

Universal accessibility will be a key priority to support Para-athletes and Para-sports, while all buildings will meet the highest of environmental standards, use passive design strategies and allow for future adaptability. 

Visuals and concept designs will be made available throughout the project on this webpage. 

How long will construction and redevelopment take? 

The AIS Podium Project will be delivered in stages. Regular updates will be provided via the ASC website here ahead of major construction milestones to keep all stakeholders informed. 

Why is AIS Athletes’ Village being demolished? 

The Athletes’ Village has been in use since 1985 and after more than four decades, no longer caters for the modern athlete. Demolition enables delivery of three new state-of-the-art facilities as part of the Australian Government’s $249.7 million investment  

When is demolition expected to begin?  Demolition is expected to commence in June 2026. 

Who will be looking after the demolition of AIS Athletes’ Village? 

The procurement of a contractor to manage the demolition of Athletes’ Village and other early works will be undertaken in Q1 of 2026. 

How will the removal of asbestos and hazardous materials be handled during construction? 

Like many facilities built in the ACT during the 1980s, the Athletes’ Village is likely to contain asbestos. 

All works will be carried out in accordance with ACT Government and Commonwealth requirements and relevant work health and safety and environmental legislation. Prior to demolition, detailed site assessments will be undertaken by licensed specialists. 

Where asbestos is identified, it will be safely managed, removed or contained by accredited contractors using approved methods, with appropriate controls and independent monitoring in place.  

Protecting the health and safety of athletes, staff, contractors and the surrounding community is the highest priority. 

How will demolition effect on-campus accommodation? 

While the Residence of Champions will remain fully operational to house both long-term programs and short-term camps, on-campus accommodation capacity will be temporarily reduced following the demolition of Athletes’ Village.  

The ASC will work with sports to ensure athletes and teams preparing for peak events are prioritised and supported during construction. 

While there may be temporary changes to logistics and access to AIS facilities, the site will continue to run as a one-stop-shop, providing athletes with access to recovery and training facilities, performance support and dining hall. 

Athlete and staff safety is the main priority. Construction staging, access management and communication plans are being designed to minimise disruption and manage risk. 

Will any other current buildings be demolished as part of AIS Podium Project? 

There are currently no plans to demolish any other existing buildings as part of the AIS Podium Project.  

Will there be any impact to athletes and high performance camps other than reduced on-site accommodation? 

Every effort will be made to allow as much activity on site as possible during demolition and construction. To manage reduced accommodation capacity, the ASC will implement a priority system for camp bookings until approximately June 2028 when the new accommodation comes online. Prioritising camps during this time will be critical to optimising the impact of AIS facilities across the high performance system. 

How will sports be supported to plan ahead? 

The ASC will work closely with sports and impacted stakeholders to coordinate forward bookings and manage availability. More detail on booking processes and priorities will be communicated once confirmed. 

Will the construction impact public use of the AIS campus? 

Facilities including the pool, playing fields and athletics track will remain available for public booking or use, however access arrangements (including parking) may change through the life of the project. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest advice here before visiting the AIS campus. 

Will the construction impact parking or access for events at AIS Arena or GIO Stadium? 

The AIS Arena and GIO Stadium will remain open throughout construction. 

Any temporary changes to parking or road access will be communicated to event organisers and the public. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest event and travel advice before attending events. 

Will AIS Tours continue? 

AIS Tours will continue throughout the construction of the Podium Project.  

What will be the impact on nearby residents? 

The AIS is committed to working closely with the local community. Construction impacts such as noise, traffic or changes to access will be managed in line with ACT Government requirements. Information will be provided to nearby residents ahead of major works or disruptions.