Landy Field track to get facelift

LOCAL athletics participants will soon enjoy a refreshed track, with the City of Greater Geelong to undertake a mass renewal of the city’s John Landy Field as early as next month.

The city announced it would refresh the venue’s track with costs set to exceed $1.5 million, meanwhile the current orange track will be altered to a blue and grey surface.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the track renewal, coupled with a potential $10 million pavilion redevelopment, will secure Landy Field’s future as Geelong’s premier regional athletics facility and retain its World Athletics Class 2 accreditation.

“It’s really important that our local athletes have access to high standard facilities, which will also help support further growth in the sport,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“The track renewal will provide a brand new surface for runners to train and compete on, and hopefully help Geelong attract and stage high quality athletics meets.”

The city has allocated $5 million toward the planned pavilion redevelopment.

It has also applied for $5 million through the Victorian government’s Council Support Package, a fund for regional cities that were due to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The field’s hammer and discuss cage will also be relocated to allow for more competition events.

Cr Eddy Kontelj said the site will be closed to the community from June 19 and will re-open towards the end of the year.

Goldsworthy Reserve in Corio will be available to athletics clubs and schools as an alternative venue in that time.

“We appreciate there will be some inconvenience, but this is an exciting project, and the end result will be worth the wait,” Cr Kontelj said.

“The Council is pleased to be investing heavily in facilities that will support our community to be fit and active.”

The renewal works are being completely funded by the city.