Starting gun fired on Landy Field redevelopment

THE $10 million redevelopment of the John Landy Athletics Field will go ahead, following the approval of funding support from the Victorian government.

The $5 million allocated to the project in the City of Greater Geelong’s 2024-25 budget will be matched by the state government through its Council Support Package, designed for regional cities that were set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The upgrades slated for the South Geelong complex include the construction of a new two-storey pavilion and grandstand.

The pavilion will consolidate the venue’s the competition office, public toilets, change rooms, canteen, a social and community room, meeting room and uniform store, and provide the complex with a main entry point.

Geelong MP Christine Couzens celebrated the government’s investment in the complex.

“The state government is proud to invest $5 million to enable Landy Field to remain a premier regional athletics track in Victoria,” she said.

“This athletic field is iconic in Geelong and this funding will enable athletes, little athletic participants and their families to have the facilities they deserve into the future.”

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan thanked the Victorian government for its major investment in what is an important sporting facility for the Geelong region.

He said the funding would secure Landy Field’s future as a “high quality regional and state level athletics centre”.

“The project will mean athletes using Landy Field will have access to a modern, fit-for-purpose pavilion, while spectators will be able to watch in the comfort of a brand-new grandstand.

“With athletics about to be in the spotlight via the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, it’s a hugely exciting time for the sport in Geelong.”

City-funded renewal works to update the track at Landy Field are also underway, with complex closing to the public on Wednesday this week.

The $1.5 million project will also see the relocation of the site’s hammer and discuss cage to enable more competition events to be held at the same time.

Landy Field is the only world-accredited athletic track in western Victoria, and these works will ensure the complex retains this accreditation.