Bill Jacob Athletics Centre is undergoing a $4.1 million upgrade and will host the Little Athletics NSW State Combined Carnival in 2025. Photo: Wagga City Council.
Wagga is set to host the Little Athletics state titles in 2025 at the Bill Jacob Athletics Centre.
Wagga City Council said when the $4.1 million upgrade of the venue at Jubilee Park was completed it would be set to host the Little Athletics NSW Kumon State Combined Carnival.
The council’s strategic asset planner (parks and recreation) Ben Creighton said preliminary works for the upgrade could begin before March 2023.
He said the council was in the process of finalising deeds with the NSW Government.
“Once that is done, the council will look to commence the implementation of the upgrade, including significant earthworks, site drainage and the installation of an automatic irrigation system,” Mr Creighton said.
It was announced this year that Wagga City Council, in partnership with Little Athletics NSW, would host the Kumon State Combined Carnival in 2023.
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However, the council has been awarded NSW Government funding to upgrade the athletics centre, which meant the 2023 carnival had to be postponed.
Strategic recreation officer Peter Cook said the shift was made with the support of Little Athletics NSW.
“In order to not delay the project, it was decided, in consultation with Little Athletics NSW, to move the 2023 Little Athletics NSW Kumon State Combined Carnival to Dubbo, with the agreement that Wagga Wagga would host the event at the newly upgraded Bill Jacob Athletics Centre in 2025,” Mr Cook said.
“The Bill Jacob Athletics Centre upgrade is a project that will serve generations to come and will deliver significant sporting, economic and social benefits to the community.
“While we are disappointed the upgrade timeline means we are unable to host the Little Athletics NSW Kumon State Combined Carnival next year, our priority is facilitating the extensive upgrade to provide the Wagga Wagga community and young athletes from across the region and state with a high-quality venue into the future.”
Mr Cook said once the upgrade was complete, the athletics centre had the potential to host more state and national-level sporting events.
He said this would further enhance Wagga’s status as the ”City of Good Sports”.
Little Athletics NSW CEO Rebecca Shaw said the athletics centre upgrade was an exciting project for Wagga and the Riverina.
“While unfortunately the Kumon State Combined Carnival in 2023 will need to take place at an alternative location, we look forward to bringing it to the upgraded facility in 2025,” she said.
“We have been fortunate to secure Dubbo for the 2023 carnival and we thank both Wagga Wagga and Dubbo councils for their support.”
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