Landy Field pavilion to keep regional athletics on track

08/01/2025

Aerial view of John Landy Athletics Field, with the existing blue athletics track and oval in the centre of the image and the Barwon River visible to the upper left of the image.

The John Landy Athletics Field is a hallowed ground for local and regional athletes.

Named after 1956 Olympian John Landy, who was the second man to break the four-minute mile, Landy was also the catalyst for the track.

Returning from competition, Landy called for Victorian facilities to match those he'd experienced overseas.

The result was the creation of a World Athletics Class 2 track, and a venue for all levels of competition.

'Our track is one of only 45 in Australia to have that accreditation,' said Matthew Webster, President of Geelong Athletics.

'It means athletes can come here for State, National and International Permit meets. These give them a chance to try for national selection, world rankings and new records at each level,' he added.

But even the most storied venues need support to keep pace with the needs of the community.

For Landy Field, that support has come in the form of a track upgrade and plans for a new pavilion and grandstand.

Funded by the City of Greater Geelong, the $1.5 million track upgrade is now complete.

The forthcoming pavilion and grandstand are being supported by $5 million from the Victorian Government’s Council Support Package and $5 million from City of Greater Geelong.

Design render for the Landy Field Pavilion, which shows a white and brown two-story pavilion, with seating and railing visible in front of the building, leading down to a red athletics track.

'This redevelopment is going to be a game changer for athletics in our region,' said Cameron Loftus, CEO of Barwon Sports Academy.

'We have so many wonderful coaches and volunteers. The only limit on supporting our grass roots talent is appropriate resources and a great venue.'

Once complete, the pavilion will house a competition office, athlete change rooms, a canteen and kiosk, community room and more.

'The development will make Landy Field accessible to new tenants and the wider community,' said Ramona Browne, Secretary of Geelong Little Athletics.

'For example, more schools will hold their athletic events here, while local AFL and AFLW clubs could hold more training at Landy.'

'Private hire could also take place for events, special workshops, training days, clinics and sport-related medical services,' she added.

For Cameron and the Barwon Sports Academy Team, the pavilion will provide another base of operations.

'This will allow us to support our athletes in new ways,' he said.

'Whether that's through small group education sessions, or specialist strength and conditioning classes.

‘What's exciting is we will have access to a space we can fit out for our purposes.'

The pavilion will also offer greater collaboration opportunities between clubs, benefiting athletes and the regional athletics scene.

'Bringing Barwon Sports Academy on-site through the pavilion will assist with high-performance training and create new development pathways,' said Matthew Webster.

'These facility upgrades offer the chance for Geelong to become recognised as the premier regional athletics centre in Australia, and a must visit destination,' he added.

With Landy Field servicing more than 1,000 regional athletes of all ages, most if not all local schools and the wider community, the infrastructure upgrades are truly an investment in the community.

'Geelong Athletics and Little Athletics manage a lot of the oversight and maintenance around Landy Field,' said Ramona Browne.

'These are both volunteer-run organisations.'

So, this funding is a great commitment to the community - it shows a love for athletics and a wish to see the place thrive and be protected.'

The Landy Field pavilion is due for completion in 2026.

The support for Landy Field forms part of the Victorian Government’s record $45 billion investment into rural and regional Victoria over the past decade, to help make our regions better places to live, work, stay and play.