St Albans: 'Working group' formed to discuss athletics track future

According to St Albans Athletics Club, the track had been set to close to public bookings and "meaningful competition" from March 31.

READ MORE

• St Albans running track 'closes for public bookings'
• Holocaust survivor visits St Albans school

Representatives from the track's main users - such as schools, clubs and colleges - are now being invited to join the group, as options for its management and upkeep are considered.

According to St Albans City and District Council, it is hoped that these users will take over the responsibility for both the pavilion and track facilities.

The facilities are currently operated and maintained by Everyone Active, on behalf of the local authority.

The working group was announced at a meeting of the Council’s public realm committee yesterday (Tuesday, January 31).

Chair of the council’s Public Realm Committee, Cllr Helen Campbell (Image: St Albans District Council)

The committee's chair, Cllr Helen Campbell, said of the track's pavilion: "The building faces an uncertain future in this challenging financial climate.

"That climate is forcing local authorities across the country to make savings so that we can protect the statutory services we have to deliver by law.

“The building’s main day-to-day function has been to serve the nine-hole golf course which is proposed for closure in April.

“It was difficult to justify keeping the pavilion open at public expense when it was only to be used for athletic club training and occasional events like athletics meetings or sport days.

“However, it has become clear that the athletics clubs see the pavilion as integral to their activities and the way events are run at the complex.

“We’ve listened to their concerns and have acted by setting up this working group which will empower the community to join us in seeking a way to keep the building open and available for the many athletes who train and meet there.

“We are open to ideas and suggestions as to how the pavilion can be staffed when necessary and the costs, such as maintenance and soaring energy bills, paid for.

“As a council, we will help as much as we can as we are committed to providing a diverse range of high-quality sport facilities, and we hope that those who use the track will assist us in this endeavour.”