One year on Peterborough is still riding on the sports high from The Olympics and this can be clearly seen down at the refurbished athletics track, home for Peterborough Athletic Club.
After the £400,000 redevelopment of the facilities at the track, funded by the City Council and Vivacity, Peterborough is now the proud home to one of the best track and field arenas in the area.
This will now bring in an exciting range of athletics events at a regional and country level which in the past the city would not have had the chance to host.
The track without the development would have actually been denied the proper certification, leaving Peterborough without a home for the growing interest in athletics!
Peterborough Athletic Club, who have been training at Stanground since November whilst the developments took place, have eagerly been awaiting their return to the athletics track.
Scott Beasley, Sports Development Officer for Vivacity and Lead Coach Peterborough Athletic Club, told ESP – “It doesn’t matter how good the coach is, without the right facilities you can’t train to a high enough standard. Now with these facilities and with the excitement from The Olympics we want to get as many people in Peterborough involved in athletics as possible.”
The site refurbishment has seen new lighting, increased drainage and additional paths for improved access introduced around the grounds.
All track areas have been fully resurfaced and now include four additional 60m sprint training lanes, new long jump pits and throwing circles, and an extension of the shot put area.
In previous years the club has had athletes holding regional records and some winning gold and silver medals in city championships, so who knows what potential this club will have with these new facilities.
The Athletics Club has seen an overwhelming response to The Olympics with attendance going up to over 100 most weeks on the back of the success of Olympians like Mo Farah and Usain Bolt.
The new improvements to the athletics track will provide a great training ground for these young athletes and possibly these will be The Olympians inspiring others in the future.
To find out more about the club visit www.peterborough-ac.org.uk
Verity Gibson
Photos: Chris Brudenell for ESP Magazine
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