Council funds improvements to heighten standards of local athletics track

TrackMark is UK Athletics' new quality assurance scheme for outdoor Track & Field Athletics facilities. TrackMark was developed in consultation with track operators, track and field athletics clubs and National Sports Councils and is an accreditation process that utilises a simple web-based portal. A venue that achieves TrackMark will be recognised by UKA as having well managed, compliant facilities that are accessible to participants of all abilities.

As England's stock of athletics tracks age, TrackMark provides venue operators with a professional assessment of their track and field facilities alongside a time phased action plan designed to achieve and maintain the minimum facility and equipment standards required by the sport's governing body.

Planned improvements to the flood lights are also in place to ensure they meet the standards of TrackMark.

Cllr Andy Grant, chairman of the Housing and Neighbourhood Committee, said: "The improvements to the athletics track was necessary to ensure the longer-term sustainability of this great facility, and one we hope will positively effect runners of all abilities within the borough."

Rob Andrews, coach and field referee at Great Yarmouth and District Athletics Club, said: "The athletics club are excited about the improvements to the track and field facilities. The refurbishment of the track has already provided a better running surface for both sprints and endurance events and modernising the field equipment will give a better and safer facility. 

"Upgrading the floodlights will enable us to use all of the field equipment for evening training and allow the club to organise evening open competition events as well."

The improvements of the athletics track is part of a wider project by Great Yarmouth Borough Council to sympathetically improve the historically important ground for great community use. The proposals include a new state-of-the-art 3G pitch and renovation of the ticket office, repair and maintenance of the Grade II football stadium and the upgrading of stadium facilities, improved lighting, and the installation of CCTV.