Footes Lane to be extended

Friday 01 February 2019

The current athletics track at Footes Lane is to be extended to eight lanes, with improvement works planned for the entire area, including the Garenne Stand, ahead of the 2021 Island Games.

The work is being done anyway to redevelop the busy athletics facility but it has been approved now to tie in with the Island Games in three years time which is being held in Guernsey for a third time.

Pictured: This year's Games are in Gibraltar, but the next are being held in Guernsey. 

There's no price tag for the work yet as a tender process will be carried out, but Policy and Resources has approved the project under the island's capital programme - which is meant to see investment in vital infrastructure and services.

The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture put the case forward for the refurbishment works, and now they've got the plans for a full 400m eight-lane athletics track at Footes Lane approved.

The track will be fully refurbished while improvement works will also be carried out to the Garenne Stand and surrounding area. That will include improvements to the drainage from the infield grass pitch, and the installation of an artificial grass margin.  The improvements to the Garenne stand will include works to the roof and the installation of an accessible viewing platform within the main stand.  The main toilet block on level one will also be refurbished to improve accessibility options.

The work is due to start this summer and will continue into next year.

Pictured: The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture with Deputy Matt Fallaize (left) and Deputy Peter Roffey (second right). 

The President of ESC, Deputy Matt Fallaize, said he's looking forward to the work getting started. 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve one of the premier sporting venues owned by the people of Guernsey.  It is an ambitious project which can be delivered at reasonable cost.  I am delighted that we can now proceed with the essential refurbishment of the track and enhance the facility considerably by creating a full 400m eight-lane track along with improvements to the Garenne Stand.  We should be proud of providing our sportsmen and women with great and improving facilities.”

Deputy Peter Roffey, a member of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture and a former athlete, is committed to refurbishing the track, which was recoated in 2001 and 2013 but has otherwise been largely untouched since being laid in 1991.  Deputy Roffey said:

“As I said in my manifesto ‘I’m a tight Guernseyman’ – but there are times when we have to ‘speculate to accumulate’ and I believe this is one of those times. I will always support what I believe is best for the Island, and there is no better time than the present to ensure our athletes are given the best opportunity possible to participate, and potentially excel. Extending the track to eight lanes not only increases the training opportunities for athletes, but also provides increased prospects for attracting visiting high level athletes to compete in the Island. I am particularly delighted for the growing number of youngsters taking up athletics. The new, improved facility will be a great benefit to them and to future generations.”

Pictured: Tom Druce. 

Guernsey Athletics is one club which regularly uses Footes Lane. Guernsey Athletics Development Officer, Tom Druce said he is excited about the prospects, especially with the Island Games looming.

"Over the past 12-24 months, the athletes have definitely noticed the track showing various signs of wear due to its age. The whole site is a fantastic facility and replacing and upgrading the track will make it a truly inspirational venue for the island's athletes. The venue hosted U20 international teams last year and the upgrades will make even bigger international competition viable in the future. Guernsey Athletics are pleased to be involved in this major project with ESC which will ultimately offer tangible benefits for athletes of all ages."