Supporting our Olympic hopefuls

THE Olympic Games get under way tonight and what an exciting time it is for competing athletes and their network of family, friends and coaches supporting them at home or in Paris.

The Greater Geelong region has a proud history and association with the Olympics, with perhaps our most famous export being the legendary John Landy, who claimed a bronze medal in the 1500m in Melbourne in 1956.

Landy would go on to become Governor of Victoria from 2001 to 2006, but many years prior, he also had the honour of Geelong’s premier athletic facility being named after him.

Landy Field would be well known by most people in Geelong, with many schools across the region using the venue to host their annual athletics carnivals.

Like all of the City’s assets, this much-loved and much-used facility requires regular maintenance to ensure it is fit for community use.

And right now, the track is undergoing major upgrades that will see it regain certification of its World Athletics Class 2 accreditation.

The renewal works, which are being funded entirely by a $1.5 million investment from Council, commenced in June and are expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Already at the site the old rubber surface track and hammer throw cage have been demolished, the synthetic grass area has been stripped back, and the fence and associated footings in the back straight are gone.

The next stage of works will see preparation take place for the synthetic grass areas near the back straight and asphalt profiling.

This is all in readiness for the laying of the new track, which is scheduled to take place in September when the weather is best suited for this type of work.

It is unfortunate that the current works are taking place right as the Olympics are starting, however, it is critical that the track surface is dry when installation works take place.

The historical climate of Geelong has informed the decision by contractors to avoid the risks that would be associated with track surfacing in winter.

So while the timeline is not ideal, this is an exciting project and the end result will be well worth the wait.

The track upgrade will also complement the new pavilion set to be built at Landy Field following Council’s successful application for $5 million in Victorian Government funding.

This funding will be provided via the government’s Council Support Package for regional cities who were to have hosted the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Added to the $5 million already committed by Council, it means we will get to see a contemporary redevelopment of this vital space along the front straight of Landy Field.

The new two-storey pavilion and grandstand will feature a competition office, public toilets, change rooms, a kiosk, social and community room, meeting room and uniform store.

It will also serve as the main entry point to the complex.

Both of these projects serve as a reminder of Council’s ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Greater Geelong community, and I look forward to seeing the new track and pavilion once works are complete.

As always, I am happy to speak to anyone on Council-related matters.

Please feel free to contact me on 0455 532 006 to raise an issue, or reach out via the City’s website (geelongaustralia.com.au), phone (5272 5272), email ([email protected]) or the City app.

Cr Eddy Kontelj

Brownbill Ward,

City of Greater Geelong