Update: Upgrades have been completed at the athletics facility at Bundaberg Super Park with the new IAAF certified hammer throw and discus cages now ready and available for use.
Earlier: The athletics facility at Bundaberg Super Park is currently undergoing upgrades to the hammer throw and discus cages with new IAAF certified equipment scheduled for action next month.
The athletics track will be closed for the duration of the works which are due to be completed on 16 June.
Bundaberg Regional Council is undertaking the upgrades due to the deterioration of the current hammer throw and discus cages from age and use.
Community Liveability, Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Carmen McEneany said the new nets would be UV stabilised and have a high wind rating, offering ease of use as well as being NCAA compliant and World Athletics certified.
“The Bundaberg Super Park is a fantastic and well utilised facility,” Cr McEneany said.
“These upgrades will ensure our facilities can continue to cater to enthusiastic athletes, our rising stars and encourage more people to enjoy sport and recreation opportunities.”
Bundaberg Athletics Club Manager Gary Barton said the hammer throw and discus cages were some of the most popular pieces of equipment at the facility.
“The current nets and cages are ten years old and original since the track was installed,” Gary said.
“The nets are showing their age in the harsh UV conditions of our Queensland climate.
“These two pieces of equipment in particular would be our most popular and some of our biggest success stories come from these nets.
“We have three Australian representative Athletes in Bundaberg at present [Samantha Schmidt, Taryn Gollshewsky and Jonty Murdoch], and they are all there for throwing events.
“All three of these athletes and their coaches are seen regularly out at the track using the nets and sectors to polish their technique and improve their performances to compete on the world stage.”
Athletics is a great sport for all
Gary said the club had athletes using the facility ranging from age 5 to 71 with club, school and regional events taking place every week throughout the year.
“West Bundaberg Athletics Club has had a close working relationship with Little Athletics Queensland (LAQ) for the last ten years with LAQ hosting their Spring Carnival every September here at our venue,” he said.
“Athletes from across Queensland travel to Bundaberg in September for the event, exposing our local athletes to great competition.
“A lot of the local schools use the venue to host their school athletic carnivals and then onto the Bundaberg District School carnival, and schools from the Wide Bay Region converge on the venue to host the Wide Bay Carnival to select a team to compete at State Championships.
“Athletics is a great sport for all, it develops confidence, it is a social sport and a very friendly sport.”
