27/12/00
The State Government today announced that a synthetic athletics track will be built at Arena Joondalup.
Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said the eight-lane track, with a ten-lane straight to cater for 100m sprint events, would be ready for the start of the 2001-2002 athletics season.
It would be built on the existing grass athletics field adjacent to the newly-constructed aquatic centre and would be able to host interclub and interstate-level competition.
The new facility would cater for both track and field training and competition.
It would service the needs of the sport in the rapidly expanding northern suburbs and would be utilised by Little Athletics, senior athletes and school programs.
Mr Moore said the synthetic track was part of a master plan for the future development of Arena Joondalup.
The plan also provided for a road connection to Moore Drive, which would ease traffic congestion in the Joondalup Drive entry when major events were staged at the Arena.
The Minister said the WA Sports Centre Trusts, which managed Arena Joondalup, would fund the cost of the $700,000 project partly from the proceeds from the sale of a 2.4ha portion of the Arena Joondalup land to the Lake Joondalup Baptist College.
The college needed the land to further upgrade and enhance its current facilities, developing further the library and Information Technology Centre, an arts centre, outdoor and all-weather recreational areas and a purpose-built administration centre.
Mr Moore said the decision to build the new track followed months of hard work and planning.
“There is a big demand for this type of facility in the northern suburbs and I am delighted the State Government has been able to deliver it,” he said.
Joondalup Little Athletics Centre president Mike Beach said that the centre had been looking forward to this decision.
“We would like to applaud the State Government and the Minister for Sport and Recreation for his foresight in providing facilities at the Arena, Joondalup which will benefit all athletes in Perth’s northern corridor,” Mr Beach said.
“We have 350 athletes, 250 families and 1,000 people involved in Little Athletics, but there are also 20,000 primary and high school students in the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo who will be able to enjoy these services.
“A synthetic track will attract senior athletes and young adults, too. It is a great early Christmas present.”
Athletica chief executive Chilla Porter said athletics was excited by the Government’s announcement.
He said that it was the first new track for more than 16 years and its location would service one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.
Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister’s office, 9321 1444.
