BRIDGESTONE’s former tyre manufacturing site in Adelaide has been given an injection of colour and new life with the launch of the highly-anticipated, multi-million dollar Bridgestone Athletics Centre.
Officially opened by City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM, Minister for Innovation and Skills, Hon. David Pisoni MP, and Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand boss Stephen Roche, the Centre provides a vibrant space for the local community.
The state-of-the-art multi-discipline facility in the northern suburbs of Adelaide sits on land that was returned to the City of Salisbury following the closure of the Bridgestone factory in 2011.
“When Bridgestone returned this land to the City of Salisbury back in 2011, our vision was for it to be a vibrant space that benefited the community. To see the Bridgestone Athletics Centre come to life has far exceeded our expectations for Bridgestone Reserve,” Mr Roche said.
Local mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM described the benefits of the facility as wide reaching and were only possible through collaboration between Council, the South Australian State Government, Bridgestone and Athletics SA.
“We are thrilled to be opening the Bridgestone Athletics Centre, which will not only provide a much-needed new home for three local athletics clubs, but also benefit regional and state associations including northern schools,” Mayor Aldridge said.
“I look forward to watching on as our local future athletics stars are empowered to achieve their dreams thanks to this fabulous new facility.”
Bridgestone announced its commitment as naming rights partner of the venue earlier this year, with the concept aligning to the three priority areas of company’s global Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, ‘Our Way to Serve’: mobility, people and the environment.
“Not only does the Bridgestone Athletics Centre pay homage to our history, but it emphasises the importance of the future through the use of so many outstanding environmental initiatives, as well as supporting the development of the next generation of athletes – but more importantly, is accessible to everyone,” Mr Roche added.
Throughout the Bridgestone Athletics Centre, several initiatives were adopted to reduce the environmental impact of its construction and operations, from the track surface to the venue lighting, and even the design of the change rooms.
The iconic blue running track utilises 50 tonnes of recycled rubber in the surfacing system, in harmony with Bridgestone’s local commitment to responsible end-of-life tyre management across its network of stores.
To make the venue accessible in all seasons, the City of Salisbury has invested in the latest LED venue lighting systems. The technology not only uses less energy than conventional oval lighting but features customisable programs.
