Summer refurbishment work at Newport Stadium has been boosted by over £150,000 of grant funding.
Newport City Council and Newport Live are working in partnership with Newport Harriers, Sport Wales and Welsh Athletics to deliver the refurbishment, which will see the installation of a new World Athletics specification throwing cage and new polymeric surfacing for the track and field areas in addition to works of cleaning, repairs and line marking, as well as the establishment of new external throwing cage and area to be used as a training facility.
Councillor Deb Harvey, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said “the refurbishment work over the summer will benefit all parties and users of Newport Stadium.
“We are grateful to all of our partners for their support, and we hope that this strong collaborative partnership will continue not only to improve facilities in Newport, but support and maintain athletics as a priority sport in the city.”
Around £125,000 of the funding has been provided by Welsh Athletics, with an additional £25,000 of ‘Place for Sport’ funding being provided by Sport Wales and £8,000 by Newport Harriers. Newport Live have also supplied funding and in-kind support to bring the project to life. Work is underway and is anticipated to be completed before the end of the summer.
Steve Ward, chief executive of Newport Live said “We are very grateful to our partners for enabling these refurbishments at Newport Stadium. It will provide a greater training facility for Welsh elite athletes as well as clubs and customers from the local community. We look forward to the opportunities this will bring to athletics in the city as we continue to inspire people of Newport and beyond to get active and support their health and wellbeing”.
James Williams, chief executive of Welsh Athletics, said “We are delighted that this collaboration with Newport City Council, Newport Live, Newport Harriers, Sport Wales and ourselves will enhance the provision for athletics within the area. The development will be a huge boost for club and community athletics locally as well as allow for top level competition to return to Newport in future years, helping to further inspire the next generation of athletes”.
