Designers appointed for Geelong’s Games venues

THE Victorian government has revealed the firms that will lead the design works for Geelong’s new venues for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Leading architecture firm Warren and Mahoney has partnered with Geelong company Four18 Architecture as design consultants on the Armstrong Creek aquatics venue, which will host swimming, para swimming and diving.

The aquatics venue on Barwarre Road will boast three pools during the Commonwealth Games including competition, warm up and diving pools.

The Armstrong Creek venue will feature multi-sport courts, a community pool and green open space after the Commonwealth Games are finished.

Australian firm ARM Architecture has been appointed to lead the design of the gymnastics, weightlifting and para powerlifting venue on Baanip Boulevard in Waurn Ponds.

After the Closing Ceremony – to also be held in Geelong, at Kardinia Park – the Waurn Ponds venue will feature multi-sport courts, a dance studio and a regional-level gymnastics centre.

Work on the design of both venues will start immediately and locals will start to see activity on both sites over the coming months as site investigations get under way.

Geelong will be home to nine sports for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the Games village at Waurn Ponds Station Precinct set to host about 2,500 athletes and officials, while 40,000 people are expected to attend the Closing Ceremony at Kardinia Park.

The state government has earmarked up to $292 million for the new multi-sport venues in Geelong.

“We’re delivering world-class sporting venues in Armstrong Creek and Waurn Ponds that local communities will enjoy for generations,” Parliamentary Secretary for the Commonwealth Games and South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan said: “Around a hundred thousand people will come to Geelong for Victoria 2026, and we’re investing in world-class sporting infrastructure that will benefit not only Games delivery but the community for years to come.”

Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy Harriet Shing said the Games would create jobs in Geelong, driving economic growth and an enduring legacy of accessible, inclusive and fit-for-purpose housing and community infrastructure.