• State-of-the-art Bridgestone Athletics Centre officially opened.
• Bridgestone Athletics Centre to provide international grade facilities to local community.
• Sustainability at the core of project and perfect alignment to Bridgestone's Corporate Social Responsibility commitments.

ADELAIDE, South Australia (31 March, 2021) — Bridgestone's former tyre manufacturing site has been given an injection of colour and new life with the launch of the highly-anticipated, multi-million dollar Bridgestone Athletics Centre.

The Bridgestone Athletics Centre was officially opened on Friday night by Stephen Roche, Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM, and David Pisoni MP.

Officially opened by City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM, Minister for Innovation and Skills, Hon. David Pisoni MP, and Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand, Stephen Roche, on Friday evening, the Bridgestone Athletics Centre is a state-of-the-art multi-discipline facility in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, and sits on land that was returned to the City of Salisbury following the closure of the Bridgestone factory in 2011.

Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand Managing Director Stephen Roche says the company is proud to have collaborated with City of Salisbury to develop the centre at the site of its former manufacturing site, Bridgestone Reserve.

"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.

"Over Bridgestone Corporation's 90 year history, there is a proud heritage of giving back to the community to deliver social value as well as customer value, and our partnership with the City of Salisbury and the Bridgestone Athletics Centre is an example of this commitment."

Bridgestone Athletics Centre sits on the site of Bridgestone's former factory and has become a vibrant community space since being returned to the City of Salisbury in 2011.

City of Salisbury Mayor, Gillian Aldridge OAM, says the benefits of the facility are 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 which sees rubber recycled in sustainable ways such as sporting grounds.

To make the venue accessible in all seasons, City of Salisbury has invested in the latest LED venue lighting systems. The technology used not only uses less energy than conventional oval lighting but features customisable programs depending on the requirements of the user to ensure only the needed lights are utilised – providing further energy savings and reducing CO2 emissions.

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