All-weather track work on schedule

Construction of the new Pelorus Trust $900,000 all-weather athletics track at the Colin Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton is progressing well.

Local firm Oldfields are busy digging up the old grass track and laying the foundations and, providing the weather plays its part, they should have their work completed, as scheduled, by around January 20.

And then those responsible for the actual installation of the eight-lane rubberised track will take centre stage with the expectation being it will be ready for use by the end of February-early March.

As will the high jump and throwing circles planned for the grassed surface in the middle and the water jump, long jump and triple jump pits which will built on the outside of the track.

Wairarapa Regional All-Weather Track Trust spokesman Mike Harris, who coaches a number of the district's top athletes, is "very excited" about the opportunities the new facility will provide, not only for the athletics fraternity but for the community as a whole.

"Obviously, it's going to be a huge boost for those who are serious runners but it's going to be just as valuable to other sports for cross training and for rehabilitation exercise," he said.

"And we'd expect a lot of the schools to hold various events there, it's going to be ideal for them too."