AFTER a long time waiting at the starting blocks, an upgraded Davies Reserve athletics track was officially opened last Monday.

The rubberized asphalt track, previously blighted by puddles, was given an $85,000 makeover by Monash Council after pleas from Oakleigh Little Athletics Club.

The project included repairing damage to the 20-year-old track, repainting lines, and applying two coats of emulsion mix to the surface.

The track was last resurfaced 11 years ago.

Another $40,000 was spent on other improvements such as installing electric power for the finish line timer and refurbishing long jump run-up areas and pits and discus and hammer throw areas.

Oakleigh Little Athletics Club president Pam Mulholland said the track surface was durable but harder than state-of-the-art “red rubber” tracks.

Mulholland said with renovations to a dated canteen underway, the club was now a more attractive proposition for families.

She said the club was developing a five-year business plan to pitch for a red track, valued at about

$1 million, and a refurbished pavilion.

“We’re not quite yet up to the standard of Duncan Mackinnon (Reserve) or Central Reserve with their huge clubrooms and a grass track which is pristine,” Mulholland said.