Dartford Council Leader Jeremy Kite has officially opened the new facilities at the Central Park athletics track.
The Council teamed up with Dartford Harriers Athletic Club (DHAC) to deliver £290,000 of major refurbishment and enhancement works to the facility.
The works, which began last year, included:
- A new surface for the existing athletics track and runways. This now matches the club’s team colours too!
- Improved facilities and access for wheelchair athletes to the shot put and hammer/discus circles
- Addition of quadrants to provide a six lane sprint straight to the back of the track circuit
- Extension of the high jump fan
- Relocation of the pole vault and the long/triple jump facilities (IAAF Standard jumps runway)
- Additional floodlights
- Relocation of hurdles store
- New pole vault equipment
- New high jump cover/weather shelter
The improvements give the Club a safer and more user-friendly environment along with being able to offer a more varied and flexible programme. It also secures a legacy for the future growth of the club.
Councillor Kite said, “It’s fantastic to be able to help the Athletics Club to be able to offer more to its members and visitors of all ages and abilities. The track has a long history and it is great to know that it will be able to serve future generations.”
Tony Durey, President of DHAC, said “The refurbishment project has made a real difference to our club. We expected growth in membership leading up to the 2012 London games but never dreamt we would see it treble. The structures we put into place, in terms of coaching our juniors, worked and we have not only kept these new members but continued to grow. The investment by Dartford Council has ensured our aspirations may continue through to the games in Rio and beyond. Our renaissance has begun.”