TRACK and field athletics in Bristol has been given a huge boost with the news that Bristol City Council is to release £1.5million of funding to upgrade facilities.
The cash injection will facilitate the establishment of a six-lane training track at Packers Sports Ground, in Whitehall and the upgrading of the all-weather track at the WISE Campus, Filton, into eight lanes with new floodlighting and improvements to the jump and throws area.
The decision will bring the city’s athletics facilities into the 21st century and give Bristol & West AC a huge lift in their ambition to qualify for the top flight of national track & field athletics having in recent years been prevented from even staging a Midlands League match at Whitchurch.
“This is a decision all Bristol’s track and field athletes have been waiting for,” said Bristol and West AC chairman Mike Down.
The original decision to replace the athletics facilities at Whitchurch was taken back in 2003 and Councillor Simon Cook, who is Bristol’s deputy leader and cabinet member for culture, sport and capital projects, admitted local athletes had endured a long and frustrating wait for the new plans to get the go-ahead.
“This two-pronged approach to provide better athletics facilities for Bristol is an excellent way forward,” said Cook.
“For far too long local athletes have had to make do and mend - with facilities that just weren’t good enough. Now here’s
a real chance for us - in partnership with Filton College and City Academy Bristol - to deliver facilities local people deserve.”