Athletics: New path to help keep Whangarei running track clean

Athletics Whangarei facilities manager Gillian Michel hopes the new path will help keep the running track clean. Photo/John Stone

After 15 months of planning by the Trigg Sports Arena Athletics & Gymnastics Stadium Trust Committee to improve access from the Marist Rugby Club building to the sports field inside Athletics Whangarei's all-weather running track, the work is now under way.

With financial assistance and project management from Whangarei District Council a concrete path is being laid from the Marist clubrooms down to the track to protect the track surface from mess brought down by spectators and sportsmen.

Athletics Whangarei facilities manager Gillian Michel said they were grateful for the help and it would benefit the club.

"The concrete path and retaining wall on the bank will stop soil and stones being dragged on to the running track by rugby players and pedestrians and damaging the track surface," she said.

"Athletics Whangarei did not have the finance to do this job themselves.

"Whangarei District Council agreed to fund the work and took on the project management."

Also the boundary fence on the grandstand side of the track will be relocated to include a walkway that will enable athletes and spectators to access this area without compromising the line of sight required by the track photo-finish camera.

Athletics Whangarei is delighted that this corner of the complex will be tidied up in time for the NZ Masters track and field championship event being hosted by Northland Masters at the stadium between March 2-4 next year. This event will draw a large number of contestants and supporters to Whangarei from all over New Zealand.