Brent Council has paused plans to redevelop the indoor athletics track at Willesden Sports Centre, with a final decision now expected on November 25, following a campaign by Track Academy and other community groups.
The council had planned to replace the indoor track with a gym as part of a £1.4m upgrade. Track Academy, a charity based at the centre, called for the plans to be halted, arguing that the loss of one of London's remaining indoor tracks would particularly affect users with disabilities, ethnic minorities and girls.
Community campaign prompts consultation
The charity, founded in 2007 by former international triple jumper Connie Sessions, runs three sessions a week on the track for people aged five to 23. Supporting testimonies from England Athletics and former Olympians who trained there were submitted after the campaign launched.
Brent Council informed the charity in June that the indoor track would be redeveloped into a gym. It has now said further consultation will take place before a decision is made on November 25, following a joint letter from the leaders of the Brent Liberal Democrats, Cllr Anton Georgiou, and the Brent Green Party, Cllr Mary Mitchell.
Council response and next steps
Kim Wright, Chief Executive at Brent Council, said in the letter: "While there was some communication with stakeholders suggesting that a decision had been made on these proposals, following correspondence with some stakeholders we have decided that the right thing to do is listen further before a decision is taken."
Cllr Georgiou told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I'm pleased that Brent Council has decided to backtrack on its decision to demolish the much-loved indoor track at Willesden Sports Centre. This climbdown is a direct result of a community-led campaign, which brought together track users, Track Academy, Queen's Park Harriers, residents and the Liberal Democrat and Green council groups."
Patrik Ewe, CEO of Track Academy, welcomed the extension but remained concerned. He said: "It's great that the council is now formally consulting on this; they should have done so from the beginning. It's a shame that it's taken such immense public and community pressure for them to consult the community. We've only got one week. It's a short period of time."
Cllr Liz Dixon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, said: "These proposals are about modernising Willesden Sports Centre, with a £1.4 million investment to help even more residents use the gym and take part in health and fitness classes. Under the proposals, the indoor running tube would become part of a larger gym, which would mean the end of indoor athletics there. The outdoor track would not be affected."
Representations can be sent to the council by 5pm on Friday 20 November, and no works affecting the indoor running tube will take place before a decision is made.
