The Bill Jacob Athletics Centre has received a $5 million facelift that includes a new track surface and upgraded field event facilities. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The $5 million upgrade of Wagga Wagga’s biggest athletics track has officially been revealed with a new all-weather 400m synthetic track headlining the changes.
Other upgrades to the athletics centre include improved drainage and irrigation, new long jump runways, warm-up areas, and shot put circles, and refreshed steeplechase, javelin, discus, and high jump facilities.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s (WWCC) Manager of Recreation and Economic Development Ben Creighton said athletes were already taking advantage of the upgraded venue with many young runners already setting records.
“The upgraded Bill Jacob site is a state-of-the-art athletics track and field venue, and it’s great to see local athletes and clubs already making great use of this new space,” he said.
“We look forward to the many ways this site will support athletics in the Riverina at a grassroots level and contribute greatly towards the city’s future as a competitive location for attracting high-profile sporting tourism opportunities to the region.”
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr applauded the work of WWCC in gathering the funds to ensure the upgrades for the facility advanced.
“This incredible new facility will promote inclusion, support a wide range of sports, and draw athletes and visitors to our region,” he said.
“Wagga Wagga is known as ‘the city of good sports’ for good reason and this major redevelopment will be a great catalyst for sporting and community growth in our city. This is a wonderful recognition of the late Bill Jacob, and I’m sure his family and friends are very proud to have this game-changing venue named in his honour.”
Members of Bill Jacob’s immediate family, including his wife Robin and daughters Sarah Young and Ruth Murray were among the first to do a lap of the new facility. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The centre stands as a lasting tribute to Bill Jacob’s dedication to athletics in Wagga Wagga.
A driving force behind the establishment of the Kooringal Athletics Club in 1978 – later the Kooringal-Wagga Athletics Club – Mr Jacob spent four decades coaching, mentoring, and developing the next generation of Riverina athletes and coaches.
His tireless volunteer efforts helped create the original Jubilee Park athletics facility, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.
Mr Jacob’s daughter Sarah said her father would’ve loved to have seen Wagga fully embrace athletics.
“Dad’s spare time, which grew as he retired, was very dedicated to athletics, especially coaching,” Sarah said.
“It started at Henwood Park with the Kooringal Athletics Club, and then when it moved up here (Jubilee Park) to the grass track, he continued to the extent that he was here at four o’clock every afternoon, every day of the week.
“He’d be blown away, and it would be beyond what he would have ever thought, which he’d be very impressed by and really pleased for the kids that are now getting the chance to use this facility.”
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