- Email: Info@bestfields.co.uk
- Phone: 0208 8769503
Athletics Track - NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Update 7 October
The track is now open for all, and will be available for use during the opening times listed on the website.
Please remember that we do not have lighting on the track so in dark times, you will need a head torch for your own safety.
Prices from opening
£5 adult (£60 pass till 31 March 2025)
£3 concession (student, over 60, disabled, under 18 – ID cards needed each time) – £40 pass till 31 March 2025
If you are interested in this, simply complete a booking form at BOOKING FORM
Payment is required prior to use at the main office. We accept card, cash and contactless. If you do not pay before use, you will be asked to leave the site.
Update 2 October 2024
We hosted a meeting with the contractor and Richmond Council on 1 October 2024 to provide an update on the handover of the track.
At present there are a few outstanding tasks to do that need to be rectified before the handover.
We are hopeful that these works will be done on 3 / 4 October, with a view to opening to the public in WC 7 October 2024.
As soon as these jobs are scheduled and completed, we will have a full update on the public opening date.
Prices from opening
£5 adult
£3 concession (student, over 60, disabled, under 18 – ID cards needed each time)
A pass until 31 March 2024 is available for
£60 adults
£40 concessions
If you are interested in this, simply complete a booking form at BOOKING FORM
Payment is required prior to use at the main office. We accept card, cash and contactless. If you do not pay before use, you will be asked to leave the site.
The track surface has now been fully completed by the Polytan installation team. This was over a 2 weeks period in great weather.
Labosports (technical advisor for the project) has undertaken their testing and passed the surface.
The next stage will be for the linemarking of the surface, with an assumed started date between 11-13 September, weather dependent to complete a job prior in Wales. This should take 10 days to complete.
There will also be some works on the installation of a new steeplechase, the completion of the long jump boards, and some work on the shot putt circle.
We are hoping for a best case handover in WC 23 September, and a worth case handover in WC 30 September.
Further updates when the next stage is underway.
BEST
Great news! Sun is out, Polytan’s German team is on site, and we are progressing with works.
The spray install areas (long jump runway and high jump D) have now had 2 out of their 3 layers applied(see below)
The third layer is currently being applied.
It is expected that the track pour will begin from 15 August. More updates when they start this!
BEST
UPDATE 17 July 2024
The revised works schedule is now in place. Works are due to start in part WC 5 August, and en masse WC 12 August.
It is expected that the pour will take 3 weeks, line marking a further 2 weeks and then a quality check.
We have allowed 6 weeks for these works, with the assumption the track (and stadium football pitch) will reopen around end of September (subject to weather).
Just as a bit of positive news, here is the information about the new SMART gates on the track to allow users to monitor lap times.
Update 4 July 2024
Hello to all,
Apologies for the lack of updates but we encountered an issue with the installation that has taken a while to resolve.
In very brief, the materials used for the mid surface of the track were not sticking to the base surface as required and so the contractor has had to find a solution to ensure a quality surface is provided.
We have now finalised this plan and are awaiting the updated schedule of works, but we expect the works to continue in August with a September finish (timeline TBC).
They have completed some peripheral areas mid layer though, see below photos for the javelin and high jump areas.
We will update again once the revised schedule is provided.
The track remains closed to public use until the works are completed!
Week commencing 17 June 2024
To All Facility Users
We regret to advise that since our return to site the weather has, yet again, hampered our efforts in installing the new track. We have experienced the wettest spring on record, the conditions have simple not been good enough and laying of the track during unsatisfactory weather conditions will be detrimental to the finished surface. All parties involved are absolutely committed to providing the users of the track the best possible surface and are not willing to comprise on that.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused, but hopefully you will appreciate that the finished quality of the project is our primary objective. We look forward to recommencing works as soon as conditions improve, and to providing users with a top class athletics facility.
Bernhard’s Sports Surfaces Limited
Week 9 (16 May)
Hello,
Work is now officially confirmed to proceed as:
16 May – final checks
17 May – track clean
WC 20 May – Track installation works commence
Works are now expected to finish around end of June 2024, again subject to weather and potential delays as a result of bad weather.
The track remains closed to the public at this time owing to the health and safety requirements of the building site.
Please do not enter the fenced building site at any time.
The BEST TEAM
Week 6 (WC 22 April)
Hello,
Sadly, the weather has still slowed down progress, with a combination of strong winds, frequent rain storms and below 10 degrees temperatures causing issues.
A few small things have been completed:
– All materials are on site now ready to go as soon as there is a break in the weather.
– Speed tracking gates on the 100m outer lane + inner 400m lane installed, and ready to go once work is completed.
At present, we are 4 weeks behind schedule, with an anticipated end date of June end 2024.
We will update as soon as we get the next update
BEST Team
Week 4 + Week 5 (WC 8 April + 15 April)
Another weather delay (rain and wind) noted by Polytan meaning no work on either week.
Materials expected on site towards end of WC 15 April.
Work now expected to start on WC 22 April, with weekend work required to make up lost days.
The pour is expected to be split into 4 sections (the curves and the straights), with each pour lasing 4 days to add the base, allow to dry, then seal, and allow to dry. This work is expected to last around 16 days in total.
We will update when we have further information, and fingers crossed for some continuous warm, and dry, days
BEST
Week 2 + 3 (WC 25 March + WC 1 April)
Bernherd’s completed all track foundational works.
Owing to the weather at the end of WC 25 March, and the forecast for WC 1 April, the track renovations have been delayed by one week currently with a hope to commence on 8 April.
Polytan will require a period of 4-5 days dry weather for this vital next stage to prevent water being trapped between two non-porous surfaces which could result in issues with the track surface. As a result, they are cautious with this first part of the pour to ensure it adheres to the high standard required.
We continue to operate on weekly updates from both companies, and hope to have a more positive change in the weather soon!
Thank you all for your continued support!
BEST
Week 1 (WC 18 March 2024)
Site established – vehicle patheway matting, storage and welfare facilities installed, perimeter fencing installed..
Chase around track removed.
Low areas punctured to aid drainage.