Athletics Stadium At Inverness Leisure To Get Silver Anniversary Facelift
The team at Inverness Leisure are delighted that they have been able to secure £125,000 funding in order to undertake full refurbishment and upgrading to the athletics track located at the Bught Park facilities.
The track and field is 25 years old this year and although it has had upgrading work to it over its life, the forthcoming works will be the first to take place to any major level since the track was upgraded from six to eight lanes some years ago.
Commenting on the funding received James Martin, General Manager said, “We are obviously very grateful to the Inverness Common Good Fund and Education, Culture and Sport department for each supporting the project and funding it to the tune of £62,500 enabling us to reach the figures we needed to upgrade the track and field.
“With the forthcoming 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow we are hoping that having these fantastic events on home soil that we will see an increase in the uptake and participation in athletics at all levels and this can only be a good thing once our park has had its facelift. It’s not only great news for the sports of athletics, but also in a more general approach to increasing the health, fitness and activities of the people throughout the Highlands that will use the new facilities.
He continued, “The track at Inverness Leisure is not only the home of Inverness Harriers, but also accommodates many other groups as well as major events such as the Loch Ness Marathon and the Santa Fun Run both of which attract many thousands of visitors not only to leisure centre but also to the City in general.
“We have been in discussions with Scottish Athletics and are hopeful that working in partnership with the local athletics clubs we will now be able to attract some bigger sporting and athletics meets to Inverness, which in turn will hopefully bring some big sporting names to the City.
Angus Dick, Chairman of Highlands Athletics Partnership commented, “It is really great news not only for athletics in Inverness, but for the Highlands as whole that the facilities are about to be refurbished and upgraded.
“On behalf of Highlands Athletics Partnership, I have been working with the team at Inverness Leisure to support the applications going through the respective funding organisations. I am also pleased to say that I have been invited to join the panel who will appoint the contractor for the work; so this will enable the Partnership to have a full involvement and take a bit of ownership of the New Queens Park.
Concluding, James Martin stated, “We are hoping to commence part of the work literally within a matter of weeks, however some of the bigger works, including the replacement of the track will require a brief closure of the stadium, which we think will most likely take place in July of this year. We are hopeful the refurbishment time will only be a matter of 2 – 3 weeks, but I am sure the various users will work to accommodate us as they will have a brand new, upgraded athletics stadium to return to for the 2009/10 season starting in the summer.”
~ENDS~
For further information contact James Martin on 01463 667520 or 07787 968926