Athletics Bendigo’s new general manager Terry Hicks has plans to upgrade the facility in Flora Hill to attract larger events to the venue.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hicks has been an Athletics Bendigo board member for almost a decade, and believes enhancing the facility’s infrastructure and equipment is essential for the future.
“I would like to see our facility get more use as a venue for events and part of that involves getting everything up to a better standard,” Hicks said.
The venue’s track was recently upgraded, with the first competition on the new surface held last weekend.
“We’ve also purchased new equipment and we plan to spend around $100,000 on a new shade structure,” he said.
“It will make the track more viewer-friendly for spectators and we also have plans for flood lights in the future.”
“A large part of our business is hosting school carnivals which helps make profit which is all directly put back into the facility for equipment and infrastructure upgrades.”
He also would like to see an increase in the amount of parking at the venue, which he believes is necessary to hold larger events.
There are plans for works which will see parts of land adjacent to the facility turned into additional parking areas.
His involvement in athletics goes back to the early 2000s and has been the president of the Eaglehawk Athletics Club for the past 15 years.
Engaging more people is more than part of his job role, he is passionate about seeing people give athletics a go.
“You can run, jump, throw or walk and you can do it at any age and it’s a great social activity,” Hicks said.
“We operate graded competitions where competitors are categorised based on their physical ability rather than age.
“There’s also plenty of interest from parents of children who have come along to watch and it has led to them participating.”
If you would like to get involved or for further information on any of the programs at Athletics Bendigo please visit https://www.athleticsbendigo.org.au/.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.