News / Whitehall
Major refurbishment planned for athletics track
A major refurbishment is planned for a popular running track costing more than £500,000.
Bristol City Council is planning to pay to respray the surface on the Whitehall Athletics Track and eventually replace the entire surface too.
The running track was built in 2010 following an investment from the council of £1m, and is located on land leased to the Cabot Learning Federation as part of playing fields for City Academy Bristol.
The track is used by the Bristol and West Athletics Club, who pay to access the site.
However the council still owns the land and is responsible for “major lifecycle liabilities” with the track surface.
The spending will likely be approved by councillors on the public health and communities policy committee on Friday.
A committee report said: “Whitehall Athletics Track is Bristol’s only accredited 400-metre athletics track.
“It provides essential provision for schools, community groups, universities and athletics clubs, and plays a significant role in supporting physical activity, health improvement and inclusive participation across the city.”
In 2025, specialist surveys found that the track surface needed respraying in 2028, costing £112,000, and a full surface replacement was needed by 2040, costing £300,000.
With inflation increasing costs, the total figure is expected to be £573,000, some of which the academy chain might pay.
These works are needed to maintain safety standards and TrackMark accreditation.
The report added: “Maintaining TrackMark accreditation requires periodic respraying and eventual full resurfacing.
“Without these works the track would lose accreditation, resulting in reduced use by schools, clubs and events, and undermining the financial and operational viability of the facility.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
