Funding to give athletics track new lease of life

An athletics track that has not been resurfaced in more than 25 years will be given a new lease of life.

Suffolk County Council announced it would be investing £350,000 to resurface and improve the track at Northgate Sports Centre in Ipswich.

The track, which is owned by the county council, is used by various athletic groups, including the Orwell Panthers and Ipswich Harriers.

Paul West, cabinet member for Ipswich at the county council, said the planned improvement works would start in the summer.

"This £350,000 investment is about protecting a strategically important sports facility for Suffolk," he said.

"Resurfacing the athletics track secures long-term use for the school, numerous running clubs and the wider community, while the new operating model with Northgate High School ensures the site can be run sustainably and continues to thrive."

The improvement work has been funded through the Ipswich Investment Fund, and it was hoped that it would secure the future of the track for the next 20 years.

It is being delivered alongside a new operating model that will see Northgate High School taking on the operational and financial management for the track and sports centre at the Sidegate Lane site from 1 April.

Rowena Mackie, headteacher of the school, said the site was "well-used" and a popular facility.

"We recognise the importance of the centre's facilities to the wider community and, with support from community user groups, will work to maximise use beyond the school day," she said.

"The additional investment from the county council will strengthen this offer for our students and the local community and secure its use for generations to come."

Ed Hunt, facilities and planning manager at England Athletics, said it was "hugely grateful" for the council's support.

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