Geotechnical testing will begin on Mars Stadium’s playing field this weekend as the government gets the ball rolling on works for the home of athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria.
Testing will be completed using a hand-held auger that protects the turf and its roots by an expert team from Victorian-based geotechnical engineering specialists A.S. James.
Testing will also be undertaken at the Ballarat Showgrounds site adjacent to the stadium, using drilling rigs mounted on a four-wheel drive. Once the soil testing is complete, turf will be returned, and boreholes filled back in.
Geotechnical and environmental testing allows for an understanding of the existing site conditions, including soil condition, that will help with planning, engineering and construction works.
Mars Stadium will undergo an up to $150 million upgrade to prepare it to host Athletics and Para Athletics as part of the games.