New $4 million track and field complex opens at Deception Bay
A new $4 million athletics track and field centre has opened at Deception Bay Little Athletics Club, paving the way for a new generation of athletes on the road to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Zammit Oval grass track has been completely re-laid with new turf and better drainage while there are new synthetic surfaces for high jump, long jump, pole vault and javelin, and fully netted cages for discus and hammer throw.
Centre Manager Leanne Hilton said the works have been seven years in the making after getting sidetracked during Covid, but the wait was worth it for the 210 athletes aged from 3 to 17 who have registered with the club so far this season.
“I’m very excited for the future athletes of our area, the new facilities will be very inspiring for them,” said Ms Hilton.
“We have some rising stars within our club so this will be very good for their training and hopefully we will attract a few more athletes into the squad.
“We got very flooded the other day, but the drainage was amazing, within 24 hours it had completely drained, so we will be able to get a lot more nights in.
“We are looking at hosting a lot more competitions and are going to put our Deception Bay Little Athletics Carnival back on our agenda which will be 20 February 2027.”
Little Athletics Queensland CEO Christopher Davis said the project has overcome significant challenges including wet weather and supply chain disruptions, before ramping up works in the last 12 to 18 months.
“Synthetic facilities for the jumps make a really big difference, it’s a lot safer, it allows for better traction when the kids jump, even if it’s wet, and it just provides a lot springier surface which helps the kids get personal bests,” said Mr Davis.
“There are 87 Little Athletics clubs across Queensland, and this is where the kids learn to run, jump, throw, they learn to be their best in a fun, family environment.
“Some of these kids may well make it to the Olympics or Paralympics but a lot of them just get a lifetime love of sport which is really cool.”
The project was jointly funded by the Queensland Government ($1.88 million), Australian Government ($1.5 million) and City of Moreton Bay ($700,000).
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