New UQ Sport Fitness Centre, St Lucia campus

UQ is building a new multi-level UQ Sport Fitness Centre as part of its 35-hectare Sport and Recreation Precinct at St Lucia. 

Expected to open in 2027, the facility will cater for the growing number of students, staff and community members participating in sport and recreation.

The new facility will be located between the Aquatic Centre and UQ Centre, which is transitioning back to an indoor multi-sport facility for court-based sports.

This investment in enhanced facilities aligns with UQ’s position as first nationally and second in the world for sports-related subjects.

The current Fitness Centre will remain operational until the new facility opens.

See current works and how we’re managing construction impacts below.

Managing construction and traffic impacts

UQ and its contractors will aim to minimise disruption during construction as much as possible.

There are a number of parking, traffic and pedestrian changes in the area. For more details, including alternative parking and access maps, visit road and building works updates. 

Traffic control and signage are in place as part of a traffic management plan to ensure the safe movement of pedestrians and road users.

A construction management plan is in place to ensure safety and minimise noise, dust, vibration and other disruptions as much as possible.

Works will be carried out from Monday to Friday between 6am and 6pm, with Saturday works by exception.

During site establishment, while every effort was made to retain as many trees as possible, 32 trees including 2 Moreton Bay Figs were removed to enable construction. The figs’ extensive root systems were damaging existing infrastructure and posed risks to future upgrades by undermining pavements and utilities.

We place a high value on native flora and our campuses are home to more than 6,000 trees which support a diverse range of ecosystems, while balancing the need for essential infrastructure to support our growing community.

To offset the removal, the University is working with Brisbane City Council (BCC) to undertake replanting and rehabilitation works on Council land. The area surrounding the new Fitness Centre will also be landscaped with native flora once construction is completed.

BCC provided a permit for the removal of the trees, in line with the Natural Assets Local Law 2003.

Current works

The timing of works may change pending weather and ground conditions.

Building structures and scaffolding - Q2 to Q4 2026

Works are commencing on the main building structure, and the building will progressively rise between May and October 2026. This involves the installation of the structural framework and concrete poured for each floor.

Construction impacts such as noise and dust will be managed in line with the construction management plan. Scaffolding will be installed around the building to minimise dust. There will be general construction noise such as hammering, drilling, and metal clanging and the contractor has been briefed to be mindful of noise as much as possible.

There will be ongoing truck movements associated with equipment deliveries such as concrete, steel and scaffolding, managed in line with the traffic management plan.

In addition to a crane, a satellite pump will be installed to support concrete works. While there will be minimal disruption, the equipment is highly visible.

Contacts

For construction questions, contact projectcomms@uq.edu.au.

Contact UQ Sport for membership or other facilities information.