Landmark $10m pavilion to lift Geelong athletics

CONSTRUCTION works will start soon on a new two-storey pavilion at Geelong’s Landy Field.

The $10 million pavilion, which will replace the existing and outdated 1979 facility, will feature a competition office, athlete change rooms, a canteen and kiosk, and multi-purpose rooms for use by athletes, schools and community groups.

Geelong Little Athletics, Geelong Athletics and Barwon Sports Academy will use the building as their bases of operations where they will be better able to support their aspiring athletes with more spacious, modern facilities.

Once complete, the redeveloped facility is expected to boost grassroots participation in sports, enable Geelong to host more regional athletics events, and benefit athletes and the regional athletics scene by facilitating greater collaboration between clubs.

The pavilion is funded by $5 million from the Victorian government and $5 million from the City of Greater Geelong.

Expected to be completed late next year, the pavilion will bring trackside facilities in line with the field’s new World Athletics Class 2 accredited surface completed in December, via a $1.5 million spend from the city.

Geelong MP Christine Couzens represented Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes as she visited Landy Field yesterday (Wednesday, September 17).

“The pavilion’s state of the art facilities will be the catalyst for growth in regional athletics and sport and provide a fit-for-use space for local sporting clubs, schools, and communities,” she said.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj welcomed the imminent start of works.

“We have a bold vision for John Landy Athletics Field to be a major player in the track and field arena and we were proud to lead the way with the $1.5 million council-funded track upgrade. The new pavilion builds on this momentum,” he said.

“To be a true regional home for athletics we need facilities that match the quality of our athletes, and this two-storey build will do exactly that. It means jobs for local workers now, and the ability to attract major carnivals, and the stars of tomorrow, years to come.

“We welcome the Victorian government’s investment in this important upgrade.”