Lord Coe opens Aldersley athletics track
Released: 11 December 2007
Lord Coe has officially opened the newly refurbished athletics track at Aldersley Leisure Village.
And it was a nostalgic return to the site of one of his first significant athletic achievements for the sporting Lord who is one of Britain’s best known and successful athletes.
On 4 August, 1973 Sebastian Coe won his first AAA Youth Championship at Aldersley. He was competing in the 1500 metres and won with a time of three minutes and 55 seconds, which was a personal best at the time.
Lord Coe joined Wolverhampton Mayor, Councillor Trudy Bowen and young people from Westcroft Sports College in a ceremonial race to mark the opening the refurbished athletics and cycle tracks which were completed in 2006.
Cabinet member for leisure and culture, Councillor John Reynolds, said: ”We are delighted that Lord Coe who has a particular connection with Aldersley in his sporting past was able to officially open the track for us.
“The investment in our sporting facilities is something of which we are very proud in Wolverhampton and we are committed to providing accessible affordable leisure facilities for all”, he added.
The cost of the athletic and cycling refurbishment totalled £546,000, comprising £208,000 from Community Club Development Programme (Sport England); £100,000 from Community Athletics Refurbishment Programme (Sport England); and £238,000 from Wolverhampton Service Innovation Programme.
Aldersley Leisure Village has two resident clubs - Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club and Wolverhampton Wheelers Cycling Club.
Both clubs have agreed to five year hire agreements to deliver a wide programme of activities with the support of the council’s sport development team.
Issued by the press office.