Project background
Down Grange Sports Complex is a key local leisure facility and hosts the only high quality synthetic athletics track in the borough. The facility is well used by local residents, groups and schools for athletics training and events. The facility is also home to Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club, a strong and successful community sports club.
The council approved expansion of the track from six lanes to eight lanes and ancillary improvements to the track facilities in order to:
- support the provision of sport and recreation in recognition of its contribution to the profile of the borough and economic prosperity
- support the resident club to deliver high standards of development activity and achieve competitive success
- support the progression of a high number of local talented county, national and international athletes
- demonstrate the council’s commitment to maximising the opportunities for the borough presented by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Scheme
The track refurbishment and extension project involved constructing an additional two lanes to create eight lanes and resurfacing the whole track with a new synthetic ‘sandwich system’ track surface.
The scheme included remedial work on the existing field event arena (javelin, pole vault, shot put/discus/hammer cage and long jump).
The floodlights were also upgraded to meet the requirements of the additional two lanes and enhance the overall facility.
The works were completed in November 2011, an achievement celebrated together with the announcement of the Olympic Torch Relay coming to the borough.
Project progress
November 2011 - Work completed
31 May 2011 - Work started on site
April 2011 - Planning consent obtained
January 2011 – A Planning Application for the scheme was submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Council ref: BDB/73641.
Autumn 2010 – The Sports Construction Consultancy were appointed to project manage the planning process, tender returns and deliver of the scheme on site. A topographical survey, floodlight assessment and new design and planning drawings were completed.
August 2010 – Consultation around the proposals to extend and refurbish the athletics track undertaken with local residents, ward members, Kempshott Residents Association, facility users and the general public. Consultation closed on 31 August 2010 and a summary of responses is provided under the Consultation Feedback section below.
July 2010 – Funding released to enable the scheme to proceed
November 2009 – Material Science Consultants undertook a study to investigate all possible options to extend the track from six to eight lanes. An initial scheme design was developed utilising the results of this study.
December 2008 - A feasibility study was commissioned by the council to explore a range of potential opportunities at Down Grange Sports Complex. As a result, the council prioritised improvements to the athletics track facilities.
Consultation Feedback
15 people responded to the consultation. 53% were in favour of the scheme, and reasons for this include:
- Increased opportunities for people to actively participate in sport.
- Ability to hold larger scale competitions on site which young people can aspire to.
- Important way to support the borough’s many elite athletes.
- Essential to maintain the facility to a high standard.
- Supports the resident club.
20% respondents had no objection to the scheme. The remaining 27% raised queries which related to parking provision and light pollution:
- Floodlights – Concern over efficiency and light pollution.
- Parking – Query about need for additional parking facilities at Down Grange
In response to these concerns the council commissioned an independent Traffic Impact Assessment and Travel Plan to evaluate the impact of extending the two lanes and to identify any measures that can be taken to mitigate traffic and parking problems.
The council also required the design of the floodlighting system to be as energy efficient as possible and reduce as much as possible the light pollution created.
Further details of these measures can be found within the planning application documents.
