Sydney Academy of Sport Archives

Narrabeen Sports Academy To Rebuild $6.7m Athletics Track

Narrabeen will see major facility upgrades, with a $6.7 million rebuild of the Sydney Academy of Sport athletics track and a new performing arts hall at Narrabeen Sports High School.

Athletics Track Closure and Impact

The Sydney Academy of Sport athletics track in Narrabeen has been closed since December 2023 after water seepage caused the synthetic surface to bubble and loosen, making it unsafe. Around 800 athletes, including those preparing for elite competitions, have had to travel to other venues such as the Central Coast to continue training. A temporary six-lane grass track was set up on the site’s football ovals but has not replaced the demand for a full facility.

Rebuild Details and Timeline

The athletics facility will be replaced at a cost of $6.7 million. The new track will meet World Athletics standards and feature a moisture-resistant surface, new asphalt sub-base, and upgraded drainage and stormwater systems. Designs are scheduled for completion by October 2025, with a builder to be appointed in November. Construction is planned to start in December 2025, and the track is expected to reopen between June and September 2026.

athletics track — *Photo Credit: Narrabeen Sports High School/Instagram*

Local Effect

The closure has disrupted school carnivals, community events and athletics club activities, with some organisations reporting lower participation numbers. Despite the setback, temporary arrangements have kept some athletes training in Narrabeen until the new facility is complete.

Narrabeen Sports High School Upgrades

In addition to the athletics track project, Narrabeen Sports High School will gain a new performing arts hall. Designs released in September 2025 show a facility with tiered seating for about 400 people, a large stage, backstage band room, rehearsal areas, and a professional control room. Accessibility features include a lift and a covered foyer. Construction is set to begin in early 2026.

Other School Improvements

The performing arts hall follows earlier upgrades at the school, including refurbished science laboratories, chemical storerooms, and technical and applied studies classrooms. Further works underway include two acoustically treated music rooms and a smaller performance space with a sprung wooden floor.

Looking Ahead

The athletics track rebuild is targeted for completion by September 2026, restoring a critical venue for elite and community sport on the northern beaches. The new performing arts hall at Narrabeen Sports High will begin construction in 2026, continuing staged improvements that aim to enhance student learning and creative opportunities.

Published 9-Sep-2025

Sydney Academy of Sport to Receive Major Track Rebuild Following Safety Closure

A key athletics facility on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is finally set for a full rebuild, after being shut down due to safety concerns. The Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen will receive $6.7 million to replace its damaged synthetic athletics track, giving local athletes a safer and more reliable space to train and compete.

Track Closure Sparks Strong Community Response

The Sydney Academy of Sport track was closed in December 2023 due to water damage and structural issues that made it unsafe. The closure disrupted training and events for over 800 athletes, including school groups and Little Athletics clubs.

As the only World Athletics–compliant track north of the Harbour Bridge, its loss left many without a local alternative. A temporary grass track was set up, but it wore down quickly and couldn’t withstand wet weather. Families were forced to travel long distances to other facilities, adding pressure to local sport programs.

New Track to Meet International Standards

The rebuild will feature a new synthetic track on a strengthened asphalt base, with improved drainage to prevent water damage. It will meet World Athletics standards, making it suitable for elite training and events. Engineers are also considering raising the track above its current flood-prone level.

The project is part of a broader $8.3 million upgrade to the Sydney Academy of Sport, which includes infrastructure improvements. Designs will follow updated environmental and material guidelines to ensure long-term durability.

Local Representatives Welcome the Rebuild

Local and federal representatives began pushing for funding in early 2024, citing the track’s importance to youth sport and community life. They said the Sydney Academy of Sport was more than a training venue, it was a space where young people built confidence and stayed active.

Athletics NSW supported the investment, describing it as a timely move to address long-standing infrastructure issues. The organisation had already identified Narrabeen as a high-priority site in its statewide review. Its closure had highlighted the urgent need for upgraded, accessible facilities in the region.

What Happens Next

The Office of Sport is now finalising designs, engineering plans and a construction timeline, though no start date has been confirmed. Updated turf and material guidelines will take effect from August 2025 to meet environmental standards.

While construction is underway, the grass track and nearby fields will stay open but with limited use. Community groups have been advised to expect some disruptions during this time. Once complete, the upgraded facility will restore access to a safe, high-quality athletics hub for Sydney’s northern suburbs.

Published 03-July-2025

Narrabeen Athletics Track Closure: A Blow to Sydney’s Sports Community

The indefinite closure of the synthetic athletics track at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen has caused concern within local and elite athletics communities.

The track has been deemed unsafe due to significant surface damage, and as a result, authorities have closed the famous 400m track since December 2023. This has disrupted the training routines of numerous athletes and has also affected the scheduling of competitive events.

Unfolding Crisis

The discovery of “bubbles” and uneven surfaces has rendered the track unsafe for use, leading to its closure. This decision has impacted many users, from elite athletes to local juniors, causing frustration and concern within the sporting community.

The NSW Government’s Office of Sport is actively investigating the cause of the deterioration, which persisted despite a recent resurfacing in 2019 and subsequent repairs following flooding in 2022.

In response, the Office of Sport established a temporary six-lane track on the academy’s premises. However, this makeshift solution has faced challenges, including closures due to adverse weather conditions and limitations in accommodating the usual eight-lane competitions.

Narrabeen Sydney Academy of Sport — *Photo Credit: Sydney Academy of Sports/Facebook*

Community Response and Concerns

The closure has elicited reactions from various quarters, including former Olympic sprinter Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, who expressed concerns over the impact on athletes’ training regimes.

Jeff Wrightson, president of the Manly Warringah Athletics Association (MWAA), described the situation as a “nightmare,” emphasising the danger posed to athletes’ safety by the damaged surface.

The ongoing issues have spurred local MPs and community leaders to advocate for establishing an alternative full-sized synthetic track in the Northern Beaches. This push is driven by the urgent need to provide athletes with a safe and standard facility for training and competition, especially in light of the upcoming Brisbane Olympic Games in 2032.

Investigations and Remediation Efforts

As the Office of Sport continues its investigation into the root causes of the track’s deterioration, the athletics community remains hopeful for a swift resolution.

Geotechnical investigation work, including drilling test boreholes, began on 8 February 2024, aiming to understand the site’s response to various weather conditions and guide the next stages of remediation.

The Office of Sport has also set up an FAQ for those who may have questions about the remediation efforts.