Gloucester athletics track reopened after refit
An athletics track in Gloucestershire that closed after falling into a state of disrepair has been reopened.
The Blackbridge Athletics Track was shut down five years ago after failing a UK Athletics inspection because of cracks in the track and general damage.
Now a £350,000 refurbishment has been completed with new surfaces laid and floodlights installed, meaning athletes can train throughout the winter.
A group of volunteers will run the track near Gloucester city centre.
'Open for business'
As part of the work, a six-lane track has been re-laid, a long jump and triple jump facility has been relocated and there is a new throwing cage for hammer and discus.
Budding pole vaulters and steeplechasers will also benefit from the upgrade.
Bob Purcell, director of Gloucester Athletics Track Management Ltd, said phase one of a journey to provide a fully-equipped athletics facility had been completed.
He said: "We have the track, we also have a lot of equipment, but we are still some way short of what we really need to stage just a basic meeting.
"We are busy planning an appeal to local businesses which we hope will enable us to obtain much needed equipment such as covered seating, additional hurdles and electronic timing equipment, but in the meantime, we're open for business."