Upgrade for aths reserve

CORIO’S major athletics track will be off-limits for the next few months as it is ripped up and replaced with a new surface.

The Goldsworthy Reserve upgrade will see the existing track replaced with an internationally approved synthetic rubber surface.

New long jump and triple jump facilities and improvements to kerbing and pavement areas around the track also form part of the $1.2 million upgrade.

Works on the Geelong council-funded project started last week and are expected to be completed in March.

“I’m thrilled to see these much-needed track upgrades getting underway,” Windermere councillor Anthony Aitken said.

“It’s a great result, not only for the Corio Little Athletics Club, but also for local schools and residents in our north.”

The facility is home to the Corio Little Athletics Centre, which includes Bell Park, Corio South, Corio West, Golden Plains and Lara little athletics clubs.

It is also used by a host of primary and secondary schools for athletics carnivals and physical education classes.

The athletics track will be closed during the works, with scheduled meets to be transferred to Landy Field on Sundays.

The works will head underground to remove tree roots that have damaged the old track, while root barriers will be installed around existing trees to protect the track from future damage.