Cooks Gardens track resurfacing project

Project typeTrack resurfacing and certification
Contractor namePolytan NZ Limited

Whanganui District Council is pleased to announce the commencement of the Cooks Gardens athletics track resurfacing project. Starting on Monday, 18 November 2024, this project will refresh one of Whanganui’s most iconic sporting venues, with completion expected by the end of this year.

Cooks Gardens for website - full width

Why this project is important

Cooks Gardens has long been a cornerstone of Whanganui's sporting history, particularly in athletics. The track’s current World Athletics Class 2 Certification expired in March 2024. Under the new World Athletics rules, tracks over 12 years old are no longer eligible for certification extensions.

This resurfacing will restore the track’s certification status, ensuring that the venue remains a hub for elite sporting events. Notably, it will allow events like the Cooks Classic to continue, while also enabling local and national athletes to break records that are officially recognised.

What’s changing

New track surface: The existing track will be resurfaced, allowing it to meet World Athletics standards and extend its usability for future competitions
Upgraded facility: Alongside the track resurfacing, the upgrades will help enhance the overall sporting experience at Cooks Gardens

Community impact

While the works are underway, Cooks Gardens will close to activities inside the track. The closure is expected to last about six weeks, with the facility reopening for bookings by the start of 2025.

This project ensures that Cooks Gardens remains a key asset for both elite athletes and the wider community, offering a top-tier venue for training, events, and local sporting activities for years to come. In just the first two weeks of November 2024, a wide range of events were held at the track, including Tough Kids, children's club night, St George's School events, senior club night, Whanganui Intermediate School championships and Whanganui Primary Schools championships. More than 2000 children were involved in these events.

Whanganui District Council is working closely with Athletics Wanganui Inc to deliver this project and thanks them for their support.

We appreciate the community's understanding and co-operation during this time.

The timing of the work to resurface the track at Cooks Gardens has been carefully considered in the planning stages. It has been timed to avoid the high use periods for organised events and early enough to ensure delivery prior to major planned events such as the Cooks Classic and during a time when users and their families are away for the Christmas holiday period.

We encourage casual walkers to consider some of Whanganui’s many beautiful parks and walkways along the riverbank as an alternative over this period or it may be an opportunity to wander our pedestrian-friendly areas from Guyton Street, through Pukenamu Queen's Park and down to Drews Avenue and the Whanganui River and take a closer look at some of the wonderful art on display.

Project benefits

Preserving Whanganui’s sporting legacy: This upgrade reinforces Cooks Gardens as a premier athletics facility in New Zealand
Support for local and national events: The track will continue to host prestigious events such as the Cooks Classic and serve as a venue for record-breaking performances
Encouraging community participation: This project aims to support athletes at all levels, from local community members to elite competitors, and increase public engagement in physical activities