Expert track painter Valter Genta from Turin, Italy puts on the finishing touches.
Massey University along with the Palmerston North City Council has invested more than $700,000 to resurface the Manawatū Community Athletics Track, which is located at its Manawatū campus.
The works, which are expected to be finished by early March, required a team of specialised contractors from Italy to undertake the highly technical job and has resulted in 5600 m2 of athletic track surface being laid.
The contractors are in high-demand, having just completed work on a track that will be used later in the year during the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Following the completion of the Manawatū Community Athletics Track, will head to Birmingham to work on the track for this year’s World Indoor Athletic Championship.
Newly surfaced track from above.
Enjoyed by many
The track plays host to around 300 events annually and is particularly busing during the athletics season from November to April, when it is common to have several events in one day with a range of users from clubs, schools, masters and Special Olympians.
“The track has proved to be a great community asset extensively used by locals and those from further afield. We’re really proud to host the track at Massey and have the opportunity to host so many visitors at our campus,” says Gary Mack, chair of the Manawatū Community Athletic Track committee and Massey University grounds manager.
The track was established in 2000 as a joint initiative between Massey University, the Palmerston North City Council, the Manawatū District Council, Sport Manawatū and local athletics clubs.