Athletics track needed in resort

AN all-weather athletics track is top of a multi-million pound shopping list drawn up for future sports provision in Felixstowe.

Planners are being urged to ensure they provide extra sports and leisure facilities for the town if 2,000-plus new homes are built.

Sports officials say the ideal opportunity would be to build the facilities as part of the �32 million super-school due to open in 2013 or at least plan them as part of the campus for the years ahead.

Michael Sharman, chairman of the Felixstowe and District Council for Sport and Recreation, which represents more than 3,500 sports players in 30 clubs in the town, said consultants already felt extra sports provision would be needed to attract and retain the younger residents the town needs.

“The proposed new 11-19 high school represents a really exciting opportunity to also create a sporting facility which can be used not only by the school's students but also by the wider community, including local sports clubs on evenings, at weekends, and during school holidays,” he said.

“Such a 'sports park' would dramatically increase the sports resources available in Felixstowe and district.”

The sports council's “shopping list” includes:

400 metre all weather athletics track;

climbing wall;

25-metre swimming pool;

sports pavilion;

squash courts;

second all-weather multi-games area;

gymnasium, outdoor sports pitches, netball and tennis courts;

sports hall for volleyball, archery, badminton, basketball and so on.

Mr Sharman said the council had evidence of need for all the items on the list.

“Our list is in no particular order but an all-weather athletics track and climbing wall are badly needed, and while some provision exists at Deben and Orwell, some of it is 40 years old and needs replacing,” he said.

Which new sports facilities does Felixstowe need most? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk