Upgraded facilities at Thornes Park

The Council is investing £1.5 million into the sports facilities at Thornes Park Stadium. Part of this is already complete, following a £750,000 investment into upgrading the running track.

This has created a safer, more accessible space where people of all levels and abilities can develop their skills.

The improvements include state-of-the-art lighting, allowing people to train during dark evenings and in the winter. And the Council has added dedicated accessibility points, so everyone can take part.

Visitors to the Athletics Village can train on the all-weather running track, hammer cage and shot put. There are also facilities for long and high jumps, pole vaults, and steeplechase with water jump.

These latest improvements to the track mean the facilities now meet England Athletics standards. So, all residents can access high quality sporting amenities.

Local athletics clubs and disability groups are just some of the people taking advantage of the upgraded facilities.

The Wakefield District Harriers are one of the groups that regularly use the new track. Chris Bedford, President of the Wakefield District Harriers, said: “The investment put forward by Wakefield Council has given our volunteers renewed incentive to push forward and engage with more youngsters in the Wakefield District, and assist them to achieve their best.”

The upgrade shows the Council’s dedication to better health and lives in the district. Encouraging more people to take up fitness and improve their active wellbeing.

Six athletes at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris came from the Wakefield district. By investing in sports facilities, the Council is preparing future generations to go for gold as well.

In the future, the Council will look to enable more school groups to come and use the track. So more children can start their training with high quality facilities.

Works will soon move to the stadium building, which will benefit from an internal refurbishment.

Everyone’s welcome at Thornes Park Stadium. Use of the Athletics Village is included in Aspire memberships. Or you can pay as you go. The track is even available for private hire by groups and athletics clubs, visit Thornes Park Stadium - Wakefield Council