AIS redevelopment enters exciting new phase

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has marked a major milestone in the future of Australian high performance sport, with work underway on the $249.7 million redevelopment of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) campus in Canberra. 

The redevelopment will deliver three new world-class facilities that will support Australian athletes on the road to Brisbane 2032 and beyond. 

Minister for Sport Anika Wells visited the AIS today alongside Minister for Finance and Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher, ASC Chair Kate Jenkins AO and ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM to inspect progress on the project. 

They were joined by athletes including Paralympian Angie Ballard, Olympians Georgia Godwin and Jesse Moore, archers Jai Crawley and Imogen Grzemski, and athletes from Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (CoE) based at the AIS. 

Demolition works have commenced on the former AIS athlete residence, with specialist demolition company Demolition Environmental Civil Contractors (DECC) awarded the demolition and site preparation contract. 

Materials from the demolition will be recycled and reused where possible to minimise waste and promote sustainability. 

In its place, the AIS campus will welcome a new era of infrastructure, including a purpose-built High Performance Testing and Training Centre, a first-of-its-kind indoor sport dome, and a modern athlete residence designed to meet the needs of current and future generations of athletes. 

The High Performance Testing and Training Centre will bring athlete testing, performance science, sports medicine and innovation capabilities together under one roof, strengthening Australia's high performance system and helping athletes access world-leading support services in one location. 

A centrepiece of the redevelopment will be the indoor sport dome, the first facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The flexible training environment will provide Australian athletes with year-round access to a world-class indoor training venue on home soil. 

The new athlete residence will provide fully accessible accommodation designed around the needs of high performance athletes, creating a welcoming environment where athletes can rest, recover and connect while training and competing at the AIS. 

ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the redevelopment represented the most significant upgrade of the AIS since the campus was established more than four decades ago. 

“This is a significant step as we begin the biggest upgrade of the AIS since it was built more than 40 years ago,” he said. 

“These three world-class facilities will ensure our athletes have access to the very best testing, training and accommodation facilities, not only in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 but for generations to come.” 

“I would like to thank the Australian Government for its support and belief in our athletes.” 

The redevelopment builds on the ASC's ongoing investment in high performance infrastructure, including the recently completed AIS Environmental Chamber and Altitude House.  

Together, these projects will ensure Australian athletes continue to have access to world-class training and performance environments on home soil as they prepare for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.