Concern has been raised that Paddington’s Ithaca Pool could face added demand after QUT closes the Kelvin Grove Pool permanently, with Centenary Pool in Spring Hill also reported to be due to close that day.
QUT Plans Permanent Kelvin Grove Pool Closure
QUT has notified the community that its Sport Fitness and Aquatic Centre at Kelvin Grove will close to on 1 September 2026 make way for a new research and fitness facility.
The university-owned Kelvin Grove Pool has been available to the wider community for many years. It is an indoor, heated facility with shade cover, parking and access to high-frequency public transport.
Programs identified by pool users and the community petition include aqua aerobics, adult learn-to-swim classes, rehabilitation and inclusive exercise. People commenting on the planned closure described using aquatic exercise while recovering from illness, surgery and injury, or while managing mobility and other health needs.
The petition opposing the Kelvin Grove Pool closure describes the facility as the only 25-metre indoor pool on Brisbane’s northside. It also argues that QUT’s 50-metre Gardens Point pool would not provide a practical alternative for some users because of its CBD location, travel barriers and limited suitability for beginner and community-based programs.
Paddington Pool Named Among Nearby Alternatives
Ithaca Pool in Paddington has been identified alongside Spring Hill Baths and Newmarket Pool as one of the nearest alternatives for people who currently use the Kelvin Grove facility.
Concern about additional demand has been heightened by the reported closure of Centenary Pool in Spring Hill on the same date. Community discussion has focused on the effect of two publicly accessible swimming facilities becoming unavailable at once.
Some pool users reported that nearby facilities already face constraints. One commenter said hydrotherapy sessions at Newmarket Pool were limited to six people an hour, while another described crowded lap lanes at Centenary and the Valley Pool when either facility was unavailable.
Petition Seeks Pause and Consultation
The online petition asks QUT to pause the closure, consult students, staff and community users, and examine options for retaining access to the pool. The petition page listed 1,284 verified signatures.
It describes the facility as supporting seniors, people learning to swim, rehabilitation users and people with disabilities. The campaign also argues that an indoor pool offers a distinct service that cannot be replaced by a standard gym facility.
A letter sent to Brisbane City Council on 13 July 2026 called for long-term planning for additional public pool facilities in the inner north-west. It referred to the planned Kelvin Grove closure and the reported Centenary Pool shutdown on the same day.
QUT has been asked through the petition and separate correspondence to reconsider the decision and consult pool users before the facility closes on 1 September.
Published 16-July-2026
