A new, eight lane, county standard athletics track is set to be constructed at the University of York, in the next step towards improving sporting facilities at the University.
The track, which is being built in conjunction with City of York Athletics Club and York City Council, will be located on the same footprint as the existing track surrounding the JLD, and will be completed by autumn 2014.
However as part of the requirements for a county standard track, the JLD Astro will be replaced by a grassed area, suitable for field events. In turn this means that a new astroturf will be constructed at the University in the near future.
The first phase of the work will see a new astroturf be constructed on the grassed area adjacent to the tent, ensuring that hockey facilities will be available at times at the University.
York Sport President Cassandra Brown told Vision: “This is just another step in the significant growth of York’s facilities in recent years. It’s great news for our athletics club too, this can only help them thrive.”
Representatives of the council, the athletics club and the University were on hand yesterday to celebrate the development.
Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, said: “We have a deep commitment to promoting the health and well-being of people throughout the city.
“Many members of the community already take advantage of our outstanding sports and recreational facilities, and it gives us great pleasure to enhance our facilities by providing a superb new athletics track for all our students and for the City of York Athletic Club.”
Cllr Sonja Crisp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, at City of York Council, added: “This is an important day for the development of community sport in the city.
“Working in partnership with the Athletic Club and the University has enabled us to move forward with our commitment to the delivery of a new high quality athletics facility that is sustainable and will support the growth of athletics in York for years to come.”
The original plan was to build the track on Heslington East as part of the new sports complex, but substantial benefits, particularly in terms of cost-savings, were later identified with placing the new facility on Heslington West.
By building on existing facilities the timescale of the work was also considerably downgraded, and all work is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2014/15 academic year.
Neil Hunter, Chair of the City of York Athletic Club, said: “Confirmation that the athletics stadium will definitely be delivered in 2014 is very welcome news. The club has actively increased participation over a number of years in anticipation of this and consequently space at the existing facility is at a premium. The move cannot come soon enough.
what a bunch of athletic champions in the picture!
So where are sports like womens rugby,mens rugby and american football meant to train at nights? With the building of the astro to replace the flood lit field…