Olympic athlete, Megan Keith met Vice Convener of the Council to witness the symbolic handover of Queens Park Running Track at Inverness Leisure to Allsports Construction & Maintenance.
Olympic athlete and Inverness Harrier, Megan Keith today (15 February 2026) met Vice Convener of The Highland Council and High Life Highland Director of Community Leisure & Sport to witness the symbolic handover of Queens Park Running Track at Inverness Leisure to Allsports Construction & Maintenance to mark the start of £650,000 refurbishments works and investment by the Council under its Highland Investment Plan (HIP).
The project, which is being delivered by Highland Council in partnership with High Life Highland, will see the resurfacing of the existing athletics track to ensure the facility remains high‑quality, safe and compliant with competition standards, while continuing to support schools, clubs and community use.
Vice Convener of the Council and Senior Strategic Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “This project at Queens Park Stadium running track is the first dedicated leisure project funded through the Highland Investment Plan. It clearly demonstrates how the HIP will benefit communities and, in this case, the wider sporting community, clubs, schools and users of Queens Park Stadium. I look forward to many more communities benefitting from future HIP investments over the coming years.”
James Martin, High Life Highland’s Director of Community, Leisure and Sport said: “Queens Park Stadium is a key part of Inverness Leisure Campus and plays a major role in Highland track and field participation. The existing track has supported many athletes over the years and thanks the investment of The Highland Council, we hope the refurbished Queen Park will support the next generations of athletics activity, alongside the growth and development of school, club and community sport programmes.”
Vice Convener, Cllr Ken Gowans and James Martin, Director High Life Highland at Queens Park running track for the handover.
Megan Keith added: “I am very excited about the running track refurbishment, as it is the only athletics facility in the area, and therefore the heart and soul of the athletics community in Inverness and the Highlands.
“From competing in some of my first races on it as a young junior, to completing sessions in preparation for the Olympic Games last summer with my training group, the Queens Park track has been a constant, and crucial, feature in my athletics journey, so I am excited both to train on the new facility upon completion as I continue my career, and to hopefully watch my club, Inverness Harriers, flourish as a result of the work.”
Olympic athlete and Inverness Harrier, Megan Keith at Queens Park Stadium for the running track handover
Works at the stadium will include replacement of the synthetic track surface, refreshed line markings, drainage improvements, refurbishment of the steeplechase pit and upgrades to associated field event infrastructure. Accessibility improvements will also be delivered as part of the project, including enhanced access routes to throwing and shot put facilities.
The refurbishment forms part of the Council’s Highland Investment Plan, which is a £2.1 billion, 20-year capital investment programme led by the Council to deliver improvements to local infrastructure and services and will be financed through a combination of capital investment and a dedicated annual allocation of 2% ring-fenced Council Tax revenue.
Every effort will be made to minimise disruption during the construction period. Where required, High Life Highland, and with the support of colleagues in The Highland Council, has arranged for affected athletics clubs to temporarily train at alternative local facilities. High Life Highland will continue to work closely with clubs, schools and user groups and will provide advance notice of any temporary changes to facility availability.
(left to right) Graeme Ambrose Vice Chair & Charlie Forbes, former President Inverness Harriers, Craig Robertson, Allsports C&M, Cllr Ken Gowans, Megan Keith Olympic athlete, James Martin Director HLH, Ross Cairns Inverness Harriers Coach
Works are due to commence towards the end of May 2026 with completion anticipated in late summer.
The timing of the works has been planned to accommodate major events already scheduled at the venue before construction begins.
Further updates will be provided as construction progresses.