Highland Investment Plan must include Inverness Leisure or risk losing out on hosting competitions as Councillor Michael Gregson warns the Queen’s Park track is at the ‘minimum levels’ acceptable to UK Athletics
Councillor Michael Gregson has said Inverness Leisure must be included on the Highland Investment Plan or there is a risk “growing legacy of excellence the Inverness Harriers” could be lost.
The Inverness Central member said the Queen’s Park running track “is a concern right now” because a Labosport study found areas that are at the “minimum levels of thickness and shock absorbency acceptable to UK Athletics”.
“As a result, the facility is in danger of being refused the UKA TrackMark certificate necessary for hosting competitions,” he said, adding: “The Highland Investment Plan could gain great kudos from making this a priority.
• Inverness Leisure in line for refurbishment after years of decline with £100k earmarked
Speaking at the full Highland Council meeting on Thursday, he said “The maintenance and upgrading of Inverness Leisure facilities should be a priority for the Highland Investment Plan.
“The facilities at Inverness Leisure should be a major part of our offering to residents and visitors. Both indoor and outdoor facilities can host first-class training and competition, and are key assets, a flagship hub for sports and leisure.
“While renovation of the flumes and general fabric is needed after almost 30 years of life, the Aquadome was one of the great final achievements of Inverness District Council, to which I am personally proud to have contributed.
“And Inverness Leisure is a major element in the productive partnership between Highland Council and Highlife Highland.
“However, and key to the growing legacy of excellence the Inverness Harriers are providing, the Queen’s Park running track is a concern right now. It was a year ago that the Labosport study found areas of the track are down to the minimum levels of thickness and shock absorbency acceptable to UK Athletics.
“As a result, the facility is in danger of being refused the UKA TrackMark certificate necessary for hosting competitions.
“At a time when we have brilliant athletes like the Women’s Road Relay team, who won Gold at the Scottish Championships the other day, Megan Keith, first Invernessian Olympian, and Anna Meek, selected for Scotland in X Country this week, it is essential that our facilities are the best they can be. Charlie Forbes and Dianne Chisholm have a top group of coaches at the Harriers, and the club is bringing great credit to the City.
“That’s an example of an excellent club, one of many in the city. But the Inverness Leisure facilities are for everyone. I want this to be a top attraction for all ages and abilities, a place for fun, recreation, and health and fitness. The Highland Investment Plan could gain great kudos from making this a priority.”
