Joint working group to produce plan for the Abbey View Athletics complex
A working group is to be formed to map the future management arrangements of the Abbey View Athletics track and pavilion building in Verulamium Park.
St Albans City and District Council is setting up the group to look at options for its management and upkeep in the years ahead.
Representatives from the track’s main users – clubs, schools and colleges – are being invited to join.
It is hoped that the discussions might lead to them taking over responsibility for the pavilion and track facilities. Talks will also involve the Council’s leisure contractor, Everyone Active.
The formation of the group was announced at a meeting of the Council’s Public Realm Committee on Tuesday 31 January.
Councillor Helen Campbell, the Committee’s Chair, said afterwards:
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.
Media Contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.