Bridgestone welcomes new investment at former manufacturing site

Bridgestone has welcomed the start of construction of a new athletics facility at the company's former manufacturing site, now known as Bridgestone Reserve.

A ground breaking ceremony for the new 400 metre state-of-the-art athletics track took place this morning to commence the build of the $5.3 million dollar facility.

Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand Managing Director Stephen Roche joined City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard, Little Athletics SA CEO Sue Bowman, and Athletics SA CEO Shane Fuller to celebrate the occasion.

The 6.8-hectares Bridgestone Reserve occupies was donated to the City of Salisbury following the closure of the Bridgestone factory in 2010, with the vibrant community space officially opened in April 2017.

According to Stephen Roche, the addition of the athletics facility will create further value for the community and is a fitting use of the space.

"Bridgestone's vision for this site was for it to be a welcoming environment and regularly utilised by the community, and since the opening of Bridgestone Reserve it has done just that," Mr Roche said.

"To see Bridgestone Reserve receive such a significant upgrade highlights how important this space is for the community, and fills us with pride to have made such a meaningful contribution."

Bridgestone ANZ Managing Director Stephen Roche breaks  ground on the new athletics facility at Bridgestone Reserve with Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM, Athletics SA CEO Shane Fuller and Little Athletics SA CEO Sue Bowman.

The donation of the land to City of Salisbury council echoes the sentiments of Bridgestone's founder, who aimed to benefit society through the provision of sporting facilities for the community around Bridgestone's original factory in Japan.

Today, Bridgestone strives to enhance the way people live, work, move and play through its global corporate social responsibility model, 'Our Way to Serve', and as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, aims to transform, ignite and inspire the dreams of future athletes with the "Chase Your Dream" message.

"Bridgestone's 'Chase Your Dream' message could not be more relevant to the athletics community that will benefit from this new, state-of-the-art facility. What was once the source of high performing tyres will soon be the proving ground for future Olympic athletes," Mr Roche added.