On the 16th April, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council announced that it was delighted to have been awarded £150,000 from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund.
For more information about the funding: visit http://www.sportengland.org/media-centre/news/2014/april/14/£17million-to-improve-grassroots-sports-facilities/
In combination with the new six lane Indoor Training Track (pictured), Indoor Throws Cage, Community Gym, Dance Studio, new floodlighting and security fencing, the Witton Park Arena will be a most impressive facility.
Martin Eden, director of Leisure, Culture and Young People at Blackburn with Darwen Council, welcomed the news and said: “We are delighted we have secured £150,000 of funding for the borough’s sport facilities.
“The funding will go towards the cost of resurfacing the outdoor Athletics Track at Witton and will put a new eight lane 110m straight in front of the new spectator seating.
“These are very exciting times for the borough in terms of sport especially as the new athletics indoor arena at Witton Park will be opened imminently.”
“We are committed to getting more and more people taking part in sport as well as having quality training facilities for athletes who perform at regional, national and international level.”
Tony Wood, Chairman of Blackburn Harriers and Athletics Club, said: ” Blackburn Harriers are extremely excited that Blackburn with Darwen Council have been able to secure funding for a complete refurbishment of the outdoor track at Witton through the Inspired Facilities Fund. We are grateful to the Borough for their own contribution into not only this project but the fantastic Witton Park Arena which will open soon. Much hard work has gone into achieving all this and our thanks go to the key officers and councillors who have worked on and supported the plans over the last few years. We hope to develop many young athletes with the help of these facilities and possibly find a few more Olympians to add to those who proudly represented the town at London 2012.”
