DOWN Grange sports complex will be given a £400,000 makeoever thanks to Basingstoke and Deane borough council. It is hoped that the investment, totalling £467,000 will give a new lease of life to the running track at the borough’s premier sports arena.
The budget allows for two new lanes to be added to the existing six lane track and to implement additional remedial work to track facilities. Planning permission will be submitted, and if the scheme is approved the works will start in the autumn, with the aim of being completed in late Spring 2011. Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure Councillor Keith Chapman said: “I am delighted the council has made the resources available to support the development of athletics in the borough.
“With London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching we need to be investing in our facilities to inspire participation at grass roots level and support our talented athletes now and for many years to come.” “Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club is delighted the council has found funds in difficult financial circumstances to increase the track to eight lanes,” said Ian Byett, Vice President of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club. “The club is confident that athletes at all levels will benefit from the track improvements as well as enabling the club to attract higher class competition at Down Grange in the future.”
