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Hopes running high for training track success


By Will Clark

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Councillor Roger Saxon, Robert Campbell, of Highland Council, Councillor John Rosie, David Eyres, of Caithness Amateur Athletic Club (CAAC), Councillor Donnie Mackay, Gordon McIntosh, of CAAC, and Councillor Willie Mackay.
Councillor Roger Saxon, Robert Campbell, of Highland Council, Councillor John Rosie, David Eyres, of Caithness Amateur Athletic Club (CAAC), Councillor Donnie Mackay, Gordon McIntosh, of CAAC, and Councillor Willie Mackay.

PLANS to build a 400-metre running track in Thurso may soon be under starter’s orders after council representatives and project supporters met to discuss possible sites for the new facility.

Campaigners for years have asked Highland Council to extend the existing 200m track at Thurso High School to help train athletics stars of the future.

But, after the site was deemed unsuitable for an extension, early discussions have taken place about building a track elsewhere in the town. A shortlist of sites has been whittled down to three locations, with the preferred site believed to be the former golf range at High Ormlie, on land owned by John Thurso.

The far north MP has indicated he would be willing to listen to offers to sell the site to Highland Council, which has given hope that the dream of having a full running track may eventually cross the finishing line.

However, one hurdle supporters of the project may have to overcome is to find the required funding – which would be in excess of £1 million.

Caithness Amateur Athletic Club currently has 80 junior members who train regularly at the running track. Secretary David Eyres said only having half a track is not ideal.

“When our clubs go off to competition, our younger members have no experience of training on a full track so they don’t know how to pace themselves in long-distance events,” he said.

“We are looking to bid for a full running track with floodlights and changing facilities to be built somewhere in the town.

“The site at High Ormlie looks ideal from our point of view and the chance of getting a 400m track is more promising than it has been before. The cost of building it would be in excess of £1 million but a lot of sports clubs in Caithness could use this type of facility. It won’t be something that happens overnight but it would make a huge difference to our club.”

John Thurso has spoken to representatives from Highland Council and supporters of the project.

He said if a viable proposal is made, he would be happy to support the construction of a new running track. “I have indicated I would be happy for this to happen but it is too premature to discuss what might or what might not be done,” he said.

“But I have encouraged them to get the necessary studies done and, subject to what may happen, I look forward to speaking to the sport estates manager about what might be possible.”

Thurso councillor John Rosie said a new running track has been needed in the town for a long time and hoped a deal could be done to get the facility built as soon as possible.

“We’re looking at three options,” he said. “We will then get the surveyor’s report which will analyse each of the sites and then decide what the best option is.

“A 400m track in Thurso is desperately needed to help improve training facilities for athletes.

“Caithness is home to excellent athletes but we do not have the standard of facilities which are deserving of their abilities.

“We are determined to do as much as we can to sort this out as I feel there is a degree of urgency in getting this built.”

At the time of going to press yesterday afternoon, Highland Council had not responded to a request for comment.


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