£17,000 scheme to revamp Dudley's Dell Stadium
Dudley's main sports stadium will be refurbished in a £17,000 scheme to boost budding athletes and grassroots sport in the borough.
Hundreds of people use the facilities at The Dell Stadium, in Pensnett, Brierley Hill, each week.
Members of Dudley and Stourbridge Harriers athletics club use the stadium, in Bryce Road, for training and meetings while Dudley Town football club plays home games at the ground.
Officials have revealed an investment plan to keep the facilities up-to-date so that they meet standards for the future.
Thousands of pounds will be spent on upgrading the 400m athletics track at the stadium which is well used by up to 250 club members a week.
The renovation scheme will start later next month and council officials have revealed that sections of the stadium will have to be closed off while work gets under way.
Work will include deep cleaning and relining the track which needs repairs in the build up to the summer athletics season.
They also plan to make ongoing repairs to the long jump area ready for athletes to use.
But officials today advised that the track and long jump areas will have to be closed from May 15 to June 1 to allow for the improvements to take place.
It is hoped that the track and the long jump area will fully reopen on June 2 for public sessions.
Officials plan to keep the rest of the centre open as normal for all other activities while advising users over possible disruption during the works.
Dudley Council's lead director in charge of the stadium, John Millar, today said "Dudley has a history of sporting successes from Wimbledon star Dorothy Round to recent Olympian's and Paralympian's including Kristian Thomas and Jordanne Whiley.
"We want to continue this sporting legacy by providing the facilities to help find and train the next generation of sporting stars."
The Dell also plays host to games for Team Dudley football club, Dudley Ladies hockey club and Kingswinford hockey club each week.
Outdoor gym facilities are also available near the centre for the public to use for free and there are artificial pitches which can be hired out for sports games and activities.
Visitors to the centre are asked to visit dudley.gov.uk or call the stadium on 01384 812800 for information on the works.
