Brent Council to replace Willesden indoor track with gym
Charity warns hundreds of young athletes will lose winter training space as part of £1.4m upgrade.
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Brent Council plans to convert the indoor athletics track at Willesden Sports Centre into a gym as part of a £1.4m upgrade. The decision has drawn criticism from Track Academy, a charity that uses the facility for young people aged five to 23, which warns that hundreds of athletes will lose their winter training space.
Track Academy, founded in 2007 by former international triple jumper Connie Henry, stated it was informed in June that the track would close within weeks. The charity says 60% of its athletes come from low-income backgrounds and rely on the indoor track for training, socialising, and recreation.
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Concerns over winter training
Patrik Ewe, who runs Track Academy, described the indoor track as "a vital safe space for our community". He told BBC London that while the charity can still use the centre's outdoor track, he anticipates a reduction in participant numbers during colder, wetter months. "Our kids can't do athletics there [in the sports hall]," he said, referring to alternative indoor spaces. "There is an outdoor track, but when it's raining, when it's hailing - when can our young people go?"
The charity also highlighted that offers for alternative provision were not "like for like" compared to the dedicated indoor track. Megan Omoya-Broad, 19, who has used the track for years, expressed sadness at the decision, stating, "I feel like I've grown up on the indoor track."
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Support for the facility has also come from athletes such as three-time British Olympic sprinter Adam Gemili, who told BBC London that the UK needed to support indoor facilities, as their closure makes it "harder for our athletes to train in those really hard, cold winter months."
Council's justification for the change
Brent Council stated that its decision was informed by site-specific evidence, an independent review, and an assessment of its wider leisure estate. The council also said it had discussed winter provision, alternative spaces, and potential financial support with Track Academy.
Liz Dixon, cabinet member for community safety and public health at Brent Council, said the gym had faced "capacity and layout constraints". She added that Track Academy "will continue to have access to indoor provision, while the outdoor 400m athletics track is entirely unaffected."
Questions this report answers
+Why is Brent Council redeveloping the indoor athletics track at Willesden Sports Centre?
Brent Council plans to redevelop the indoor athletics track into a gym as part of a £1.4m upgrade. The council stated the decision was based on site-specific evidence, an independent review, and its wider leisure estate, citing capacity and layout constraints for the existing gym.
+What impact will the redevelopment have on Track Academy?
Track Academy, which uses the indoor track for young people aged five to 23, warns that hundreds will have nowhere to train in winter. While the charity can still use the outdoor track, its director believes this will not be a suitable alternative during adverse weather conditions.
+What does Brent Council say about Track Academy's future provision?
Brent Council states that Track Academy will continue to have access to indoor provision. The council also confirmed that the outdoor 400m athletics track remains unaffected by the redevelopment plans and that discussions have taken place regarding alternative spaces and support.
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