Athletics club calls for action over stadium repairs

Officials at an athletics club in Nottingham feel they are being ignored over much-needed repairs and maintenance at its facilities.

Notts Athletics Club said the track at the Harvey Hadden Stadium needed to be relaid and the throwing cage either repaired or replaced.

Mick Robinson, chairman of the club, added that the main stand at the site had also now been fenced off and floodlights padlocked.

Nottingham City Council said the stand had been closed due to "health and safety concerns" and that it was looking for "viable funding options" for renovations. It added it had been keeping the club informed of progress.

Robinson said the main issue was the track, as without it being relaid, they may have to consider moving.

"We have a lot of dilapidated equipment, but it's pointless replacing the equipment if we don't know for a fact we've got a future, and the surface of the track is obviously a major expense and we need to know that's going to be done," he added.

Notts AC welfare officer, Fiona Palmer, said: "It really is in a bad state. We have anywhere from 50 to 100 kids on a Wednesday night. It's just not fit for purpose."

The stadium was built in the 1950s and was partly funded by Harvey Hadden, a Nottingham textile merchant and philanthropist.

A High Court order created the Harvey Hadden Stadium Trust, a charity with the city council as the sole trustee. Under the order, the council is required to maintain the stadium.

Robinson added in recent months, there had been no access to the stand at the stadium, with a health and safety notice put up.

"They [Nottingham City Council] fenced it off and padlocked it and we've got no idea why that's been done, we've had no communication from the council," he said.

"During the summer months it won't be an issue because people are out and about on the grass bank, but during the winter months, when it's obviously poor weather, the mums and dads go and sit under there to watch their kids training."

Notts AC said it spent about £80,000 per year on facility hire and currently had about 350 members.

The stadium and track are also used by the athletics clubs at Nottingham's universities.

David Mellen, executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: "Due to a range of health and safety concerns relating to the stand structure, use of the stand was paused.

"However, as unauthorised access persisted, fencing was installed as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety. Use of the track itself has not been interrupted.

"Some elements of the facility are now simply old and, as would be expected over time, have naturally reached the point where replacement is needed.

"We have been working for some time to identify an appropriate programme of works alongside viable funding options, and we plan to provide an update later this year.

"While we recognise the concerns raised, officers have continued to engage constructively and are working to incorporate the club's needs in balance with the wider programme of usage of Harvey Hadden stadium, including schools, clubs and colleges.

"As the main stakeholder for the facility, we continue to work with Notts AC and are keeping the club informed of progress."

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