A proposed canoe slalom facility at Birkdale Community Precinct will provide ongoing training and recreation opportunities for Redlands Coast residents after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The venue will host Olympic canoe slalom events during the Games, but local paddlers and water sports enthusiasts should benefit from the facility for decades beyond the two-week sporting event. Redlands Coast is working to ensure the venue becomes a permanent training and recreation hub rather than a one-time competition site.
Building for Community Use First
The Birkdale site puts the facility within reach of paddlers across the bayside region, from Birkdale and Thorneside to Cleveland and beyond. While the venue needs to meet Olympic standards for 2032, the design process is prioritising how local clubs, schools and recreational users will access the water after the Games wrap up.
Canoe slalom requires purpose-built whitewater courses with adjustable gates and flow patterns, making permanent facilities relatively rare in Australia. A venue at Redland Whitewater Centre would give Redlands Coast paddlers year-round access to competition-grade training without travelling to facilities in other states.
Legacy Planning Shapes Venue Design
The focus on post-Games legacy reflects lessons from previous Olympic host cities, where some venues struggled to find ongoing use after major events ended. Redlands Coast is addressing this challenge early by consulting with local paddling clubs, schools and community groups during the planning phase.
The venue will support development pathways for young athletes, host regional and national competitions, and offer recreational kayaking and canoeing opportunities for local residents. Planning is ongoing, with construction timelines and facility details yet to be finalised.
More information about the Brisbane 2032 venues and legacy planning is available through the Redlands Coast website and Olympic planning channels.
Published 8-February-2026.
