Mary Peters Track Re-Opens

Belfast is striding into the future with today's re-opening of the Mary Peters Track at Malone which has undergone a £3 million refurbishment.

The upgrade includes a new eight-lane track, a revamped field events area and spectators stand. The new track, the same as the one laid in the Olympic stadium in London, now meets the highest international standards for athletic events and provides a modern athletics/sporting facility for the Greater Belfast area and Northern Ireland as a whole.

It ensures a venue capable of attracting UK and international athletic events, such as this summer`s World Police and Fire Games 2013, when up to 25,000 visitors are expected to come to Northern Ireland.

This is the first major project to be completed as part of Belfast City Council`s investment programme and its construction provided employment for around 80 people.

The Lord Mayor, Alderman Gavin Robinson and Councillor Deirdre Hargey, the Chairman of the council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, joined former Olympic Gold Medallist, Dame Mary Peters to officially re-open the track. Invited guests included children and the athletes who will benefit from it for generations to come.

Alderman Robinson said: "The decision to build an athletics track to honour 'Golden Girl' Mary Peters after her success in winning an Olympic gold medal in 1972 was one of the greatest sporting legacies for Belfast. This track has played its part as a nurturing ground for young ambitious talents."

Winning the bid to host the 2013 World Police and Fire Games provided Belfast with the catalyst to look at updating the venue, he said: "Suddenly we had to ensure we had the facilities to host what is second only to the Olympics in terms of the number of competitors and events.

"That proved the catalyst for Belfast City Council to invest £3million and upgrade the facility. Today we can all look around us and see the result of such an inspired decision – one example of the many strands to our investment package.

"This upgraded venue will attract international events but, of equal importance, is the fact that these are for the people of Belfast. They are for young people, some of whom are here today, to help develop their skills and hopefully enjoy future success in the athletics field."

(CD)