Construction of Adelaide's second international standard 400m synthetic athletics track will commence shortly following a tender call by the City of Salisbury for the $4.8 million Bridgestone Reserve project today.
The new track featuring eight-lanes will be built to International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) standards on the site of the former Bridgestone tyre manufacturing facility. It will also feature lighting and change rooms.
Bridgestone donated the land to the City of Salisbury in 2011 after closing its manufacturing facility.
The track will be a key training base for international teams should Adelaide win the right to host either the 2026 or 2030 Commonwealth Games. It is expected to open before the end of the 2019-2020 athletics season.
City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge, OAM, said there is already strong interest in using the facility for a host of competitions and from local clubs.
"This will be one of the most anticipated sporting facilities in northern Adelaide and is tremendous for both the City of Salisbury and the wider athletics community," Mayor Aldridge said.
"It's exciting that we have reached the tender stage and will soon have a wonderful outcome for the community.
"There has been fantastic collaboration and support from Bridgestone, all levels of government, Little Athletics SA, Athletics SA, and the local athletics clubs."
Three local athletics clubs – Northern Districts, Salisbury Little Athletics and Ingle Farm Little Athletics – will use the facility; have a combined membership of 600.
There is also strong interest from other clubs with the facility expected to be popular for inter school athletics and other events in the northern suburbs.
Little Athletics SA CEO Sue Bowman said, "Little Athletics is a foundation for all sport but most of all it's about "Being your Best." The new stadium will certainly give our young athletes a wonderful opportunity to achieve amazing personal bests. We look forward to seeing increased participation in this dynamic region."
Athletics SA president Jane Russo said, "the track would fill a critical need for athletics infrastructure in the growing northern suburbs of Adelaide."
