Melton Little Athletic Centre athletes have extra spring in their steps this season after the club moved to a new home base.
Their new track at Bridge Road sports precinct gives Melton-based athletes access to top-class facilities, and means they won’t have to move to other clubs to further their careers.
Previously, they’ve had to rely on facilities that weren’t up to the standard of other top-class tracks in their region, and the state.
The $11.3 million precinct redevelopment includes a new synthetic athletic track, which opened in July, along with two hockey pitches.
Melton Little Athletics club secretary Aimee Orr said the new track was a major boost for the centre, which will celebrate its 50th birthday in a couple of years.
“It’s a completely new venue and an all-weather track,” she said.
“There’s jumping pits with proper runways, javelin and pole vault set-up, and cages for hammer-throw, shot-put and discus.
“The clubrooms are amazing.”
She said the club hopes the facilities will attract new athletics to the centre, while keeping those who would normally move on elsewhere.
“We have seen over the last few years that kids with talent have left, as they have had no other choice,” she said.
“Some had to go, as they had to go for an all-weather track, which we didn’t have. They can’t just train on grass.
“Then when they went well, their new club would get all the credit, and Melton would get no credit at all.”
The new little athletics season starts on Sunday, with the club holding a massive season launch to coincide with the action getting under way.
Orr said they are hoping that the number of Australian athletes recording personal bests and making finals at the Olympics will help attract new children to athletics.
“The season launch is the first one like this we’ve held,” Orr said. “There’ll be a jumping castle, fairy floss, face-painting, a smoothie bar and popcorn machine. We’ll have Bob the Builder and Dora the Explorer there.
“Our first week of competition will be on,” Orr said.
“Parents and kids are welcome to come see how they like things.”
Orr said children would have the opportunity to try different forms of athletics to see what’s on offer and what they like before signing up.
Competitions are held each week on Sundays, with many athletes competing in regional events, and state events later in the season.
Sunday’s open day starts at 1pm. Details: 0400 334 934 or meltoncity@lavic.com.au
