Work under way at Manchester athletics track
A project to replace a Manchester athletics track in time for summer and the 2020 Olympics is under way.
Energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE is leading the development.
The work is being delivered on behalf of MCRactive, a not for profit organisation that runs a collection of community and elite facilities, overseen by Manchester City Council.
The Manchester Regional Athletics Arena and National Squash Centre are located on Etihad Campus, and is made up of an indoor 200m track and outdoor 400m track, squash facilities, changing facilities, a gym, and offices.
Having initially been constructed as a warm up track for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the outdoor track is now in need of upgrades and modernisation, in preparation for hosting the 2020 British Championships and Olympic Trials.
Alyson Seddon, head of education and public buildings at ENGIE said: “We’re delighted to be involved in upgrading the regional athletics track and helping to renovate a venue that will provide UKA & IAAF Class 1 certified sporting facilities for both professional athletes and the local community to enjoy.
“At ENGIE we also want to impact and support the communities we work in and the people we work with, so as part of this scheme we will be providing apprenticeship and work placement opportunities, as well as continuing our work with schools and charities across Manchester.”
All works will be completed to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards and on top of the indoor and outdoor track replacements, additional project works at the site will also include;
• Drainage improvements to outdoor track and infield areas
• Installation of new and replacement of take-off boards to long jump and triple jump
• Improvements to pole vault fixing points
• Improvements to steeplechase basin, including leak investigation and repair, installation of outdoor tap, connection into below ground drainage, and provision of new barrier.
• Potential replacement of Pole Vault and High Jump beds externally.
• Supply & install a new Thor 9 hammer cage
Work commenced at the end of January and is expected to be complete by May.
ENGIE was awarded the contract via the North West Construction Hub Low Value Framework
