Abbey View running track reopens after upgrade
The only running track in the St Albans District has reopened after a high-quality upgrade.
The six-lane 400 metre track and the eight-lane 100 metre section have both been resurfaced with a synthetic material to bring them up to championship standard.
An event area for field sports including the high jump and pole vault has also been re-laid.
The Abbey View Athletics Track in Verulamium Park, St Albans was closed in August last year to allow for the work to take place and is now back in action.
Opened in 1971, the venue is owned by St Albans City and District Council and managed on its behalf by leisure firm 1Life.
Councillor Annie Brewster, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sport and Culture and a former 1,500 metre runner, inspected the new surface
She said:
I’m very impressed with the work that has been done and delighted that the track is now open for business. The surface is top class, it has a spring to it and is textured to prevent slipping – far better than the tracks I used to run on.
This is an important venue in the very heart of the City, used by competitive athletes and fun runners alike.
I’m sure they will all appreciate the new state-of-the-art surface – and hopefully it will help them record ever faster times. Who knows, it may produce an Olympic champion of the future.
The cost of the resurfacing was £186,000 with most of the money coming from S106 payments. That is money contributed to the Council by property developers for community infrastructure.
St Albans Striders and St Albans Athletic Club use the track for training and club competitions. It is also used by schools for District sport events and by other organisations.
Last year, it staged the final of the Channel 5 show The UK’s Strongest Man and the annual contest is returning in July with tickets already on sale.
Lynne Milner, Chair and founder member of St Albans Athletic Club, said:
It’s been a long time coming, but we’re delighted to get our track back after its refurb.
There’s still a few finishing touches, but it’s great to be training again at Abbey View and we’re looking forward to the forthcoming athletic season.
We have over 420 members at the Club and they are all excited to be using this much improved track and field facility.
The track was changed from a cinder to a synthetic surface in 1988.
Some minor work, including alterations to the hammer-throwing area, will be undertaken in the spring. Once that is completed, an official opening will be organised.
Details for runners about opening hours and prices are available here: https://www.1life.co.uk/Abbey-View-Golf-and-Track-Facility/
Picture: Cllr Brewster inspects the new surface.
Councillor contact:
Cllr Annie Brewster, Sports and Culture Portfolio Holder
Tel: 01438 832255,
Email: cllr.a.brewster@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
John McJannet,
Principal Communications Officer
Tel: 01727 296130
Email: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk