A week after getting the Little Athletics season off to a belated start, due to the condition of the venue following a wet winter, representatives of the city’s two clubs will meet with Wagga City Council on Thursday in what they hope will be the first step towards an upgrade.

Officials say the time has come to look at improved drainage, an all-weather high jump area and a new running surface fit for wet weather.

Riverina Athletics branch president, Brent Hathaway, said he dreams of a fully synthetic track for the city. 

“With the condition of the current oval there is not a child within the Wagga Wagga region who has not been affected by a cancellation of a school carnival,” Hathaway said.

“(We) hope a positive outcome with Wagga Council will see all parties working as one to commence lobbying state and federal government and local businesses for funding to complete the much-needed upgrade.”

Kooringal-Wagga Athletics and Wagga Wagga Little Athletics will outline their vision to council, which is in the early stages of planning its four-yearly recreation and open plan strategy.

Albury completed a $1m upgrade of its facilities a year ago, including a new international-standard track.

Wagga’s Jubilee Park will play host to zone and regional representative carnivals in the coming months and the clubs say the city’s ability to host more events will hinge on improvements.