Budding
athletes in Geelong’s northern suburbs will gain access to a brand new,
state-of-the-art facility when the redeveloped Goldsworthy Reserve in Corio
officially opens on Saturday 5 October.
The reserve’s athletics track has undergone a $1.3 million upgrade, fully
funded by the City of Greater Geelong.
It now features a new IAAF-approved
synthetic rubber surface with innovative in-ground technology to provide
precise timing and data logging.
The makeover has also delivered new triple and long-jump facilities, synthetic
turf in the throw cages, improved drainage, kerbing and pavements, and root
barriers to prevent damage from nearby trees.
The venue is home to the Corio Little Athletics Centre, which includes Bell
Park, Corio South, Corio West, Golden Plains and Lara Little Athletics Clubs.
It’s also regularly used by local primary and secondary schools.
Mayor Bruce Harwood will officially open the redeveloped facility this Saturday
(5 October) at 10.30am, coinciding with the start of the new little athletics
season. Members of the community are welcome to attend.
In a further boost for little athletes, the Corio Little Athletics Centre has
secured Avalon Airport as a naming rights sponsor for this season. The track
will be known as Avalon Airport Athletics Arena for the duration of the season.
Mayor Bruce Harwood:
This is another important
investment by the council towards improved community facilities for our
northern suburbs. We know high quality recreational facilities help encourage physical
activity, in turn creating huge health and wellbeing benefits.Given Little Athletics was invented in Geelong in 1964 by Trevor Billingham,
it’s appropriate that we continue to support athletics strongly. We hope little
athletes will enjoy the new track and that it will help them develop a lifelong
love of the sport.We also thank Avalon Airport for its generous sponsorship of the Corio Little
Athletics Centre.
Deputy Mayor Peter
Murrihy, Co-Chair, Social and Infrastructure Planning portfolio:
The redevelopment is a terrific result for the Corio Little Athletics Centre,
local schools and residents in Geelong’s northern suburbs, and the council was
proud to fully fund it.The IAAF standard track and in-built technological features will give emerging
athletes the best chance of reaching their full potential, whether that’s
progressing to higher levels of competition or simply leading healthy, active
lives as adults.
Councillor Anthony Aitken, Co-Chair,
Social and Infrastructure Planning portfolio:
This is a significant
investment in our north, helping to provide unique and diverse opportunities
for the community. The project wasn’t just a renewal; it was a complete
replacement of the old track with a brand new one, creating an asset of
regional standard.The quality of the new
facility has given the little athletics centre increased ability to attract sponsorship,
with Avalon Airport coming on board as a naming rights sponsor. We thank Avalon
Airport and its CEO Justin Giddings for their support.We hope the venue will assist in the development of future Olympic and
Paralympic champions from Geelong.On a personal level, I’m proud to have supported this project alongside my
fellow Windermere Ward councillor Kylie Grzybek. My family has a strong
connection and history at the venue, with my mother and late father both life
members. I ran, jumped and threw at little athletics alongside my brother and
sister. Given the number of grazed knees I endured when the track was made of asphalt,
I envy today’s little athletes who’ll get to run on the modern synthetic rubber
track!
Justin Giddings, CEO, Avalon Airport:
The Goldsworthy Reserve
athletics track is a great asset for kids throughout the northern suburbs. The
recent refurbishment by the City of Greater Geelong not only provides a better
facility, but also motivates new kids to give athletics a try.The northern suburbs of Geelong are the closest residential area to Avalon
Airport and an important source of employees, customers and suppliers. We are
delighted to support the growth of athletics in the area and thank the City of
Greater Geelong for their wonderful investment in our region.
