Work commences on ES Marks Athletics Field upgrade
Work has officially commenced on a $4.8 million upgrade of the historic E.S. Marks Athletics Field at Centennial Park, rejuvenating Australia’s largest community sporting precinct for future generations.
The works include an upgraded 400m synthetic track, upgraded high jump and long jump areas, new shade trees and planting, dedicated coach pick up and drop off zones, upgraded car parking and improved track and field lighting.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the project was an initiative of the Moore Park Master Plan 2040 that will ensure the 115-year-old venue continues to be an important community sporting precinct.
“E.S Marks Athletics Field has a special place in Sydney’s sporting history, as a training base for countless athletes, a home for community sport and carnivals and even briefly a National Soccer League home ground for Sydney City Hakoah,” Mr Stokes said.
“Now it welcomes more than 100,000 people annually for sports carnivals, athletics, football and much more. These works mean the park users will have one of the best facilities to play and train on and possibly become our next Cathy Freeman.
“The project is an example of what we can do when an integrated well-resourced agency like Greater Sydney Parklands manages our green spaces.”
Greater Sydney Parklands CEO Suellen Fitzgerald said the project delivers on the NSW Government’s Draft 50 Year Vision for Sydney’s Open Space and Parklands which commits to improving the city’s open space by creating better parks.
“We’re focused on creating better quality open space and parklands for the community to enjoy,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“Schools, community clubs and high-performance sporting teams can now look forward to a better E.S Marks Athletics Field and it’s a sign of what this new agency can achieve right across Sydney.”
The upgrades will also involve partial demolition of the southern grandstand and improved safety access for vehicles off Boronia Street.
The timing for construction of the works has been carefully considered to minimise the impacts to sporting groups, residents and the community.
The venue will temporarily close to the public from 6 September until construction is completed in April 2022.
