‘Get in the running to take over track’

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

COMMUNITY and sports groups are being invited to take over the running of a spruced-up running track.

The Ladywell Arena in Silvermere Road, Ladywell, is being offered by Lewisham council on a 10-year lease.

The six-lane track was reopened in October after refurbishment to prepare it as a London 2012 Olympics pre-Games training camp.

British Olympic relay runner Conrad Williams, who is youth worker for the council, trains at the track regularly.

He said: “The track looks really great after all the work that’s been done. It makes me really look forward to coming to train here.

“The idea of leasing it out to a community group is a good one as long as they keep it open to the public and make sure it stays in good condition.”

Councillor Chris Best, cabinet member for community services, said: “Ladywell Arena is a really popular athletics track. It’s heavily used by the local community and sports clubs. “Managing the arena and its facilities, which include the high-quality athletics track, football pitch and pavilion, is a great opportunity for an organisation within the borough.”

For information call council recreation development manager Dave McLaren on 020 8314 6378 or email david.mclaren@lewisham.gov.uk

2 comments on this news item

Posted by : John Hamilton, Telegraph Hill, Brockley | Friday 04/Feb/2011 | Report this comment

The council statement fails to tell us why it should benefit the people of Lewisham for the control of OUR athletics track, improved at OUR expense to pass from OUR collective ownership to being managed by a particular group, which probably doesn’t have the experience in managing such a facility and wants to concentrate on sport. Another of Steve Bullock’s privatisations,put profit before people.

Posted by : Peter Tooke, Lewisham | Friday 04/Feb/2011 | Report this comment

What nonsense. What privatisation? What profit? Whilst, I’d agree, it is questionable whether there will be any suitable local group ’out there’ it is surely right that the Council becomes smaller and less of a burden on Council Tax payers? If a not-for-profit group, with locals and athletic enthusiasts involved, ends up running the track it could well be a better, more accessible facility.