Big milestone for athletics centre project

On Thursday I visited the site of the Athletics Centre Project, at the Maitland Regional Sportsground Precinct, and received an update on the construction process. In speaking with those involved in the project, I learned that ‘piling’ was commencing this week. It was the first time I’d heard the term but it turns out it’s significant as it marks the start of above ground works - to date it’s mostly been ground or below ground civil works.

Piling will see around 200 long timber piles driven into the ground to support the concrete slab and the structures above, which include the grandstand, amenities and multipurpose building. These facilities will tie in with the state of the art synthetic track, associated field facilities and car parking also planned. This is a special time for Maitland and from this point people will be able to actually see for themselves how it’s all progressing.  

One of the key objectives of Council is to ensure that our growing community has the facilities and services it needs. So once complete, this $10.5 million facility will be a welcome addition to the high quality sporting options already available in the city.

The Athletics Centre Project is Stage 2 of the broader three stage Maitland Regional Sportsground Precinct, which will include further infrastructure such as new fencing, a fitness track and equipment, amphitheatre seating, new LED scoreboard and lighting upgrade for No. 1 Sportsground.

The $10.5 million Athletics Centre Project is jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government under the Restart NSW Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund and will be of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards.

It is expected the Athletics Centre Project will wrap up around June next year.