STATEMENT ON COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS - GRANDSTAND CLOSURE

2020 has been a year unlike any other. The WA Government has taken a cautious yet careful approach to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. This approach has enabled us all to transition back to our everyday life with minimal impact and restrictions. We are in a fortunate position compared to other States, and more so when compared to conditions seen around the world. But this is not a time to become complacent. Our priority is to deliver athletics events while ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community. 

The WA State Track and Field Relay Championships presented by Go for 2&5 attracts over 2,500 patrons. As per the Government’s COVID Event Guidelines, events of more than 500 people require Local Government Authority approval and can result in the implementation of restrictions to deliver the event.

As a State Sporting Association, we are required to abide by the State Government guidelines and restrictions. These guidelines include implementing and enforcing a COVID Safety Plan for the event. Part of this plan has included the temporary closure of the stadium’s Grandstand due to the management of occupancy limits and social distancing requirements.

The difficultly in enforcing these occupancy limits and social distancing requirements within the Grandstand is caused by the number of entry and exit points to the Grandstand and the nature in how the seating is utilised during the event. This use differs significantly to, for example, a football stadium where patrons purchase tickets to a designated seat, enter the venue, watch the game within their designated seat and exit. These events, due to tickets and assigned seating, have an inbuilt mechanism to manage and deliver the event within the State Government’s health guidelines and requirements. At our events, spectators and athletes move in and out of the stands between events, together and separately, posing further complications to enforcing restrictions of use. As the grassed banks do not have structured seating, different State requirements apply, and the capacity limit for this area is specified as 5,066 people. This has allowed us to deliver the event and provide a quality competition opportunity for our junior and senior athletes.

We understand the Grandstand is the position of choice when watching and supporting events and appreciate many would like to use this area. Athletics West has been working with Venues West continually over the last few months to find a suitable option that would allow the event to have the Grandstand open. These options have once again been thoroughly reviewed over the previous 48 hours with Venues West to establish if Athletics West could open the Grandstand and meet the health guidelines. However, no viable solution was found that would safeguard the health and wellbeing of all patrons. 

For the wellbeing of all attending, young and old, we appreciate your support and flexibility in adapting to the required community guidelines so we can host a State Event of this magnitude. Athletics West has worked with its partners to secure additional marquees, and sunscreen stations will be set up along the bank to ensure the event is sun-smart. An additional marquee will be available at ground level near the finish line for any person with specific accessibility requirements. The venue map for the event is available online and will available at the entrance.

Athletics West is grateful to be able to continue our competition season and allow members to compete in community sport. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to navigate the impacts of Covid-19 on our sport.