ATHLETES are set to benefit from a £200,000 track revamp at a popular sports centre.

Southend Council has spent the cash on track and field at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Garon Park, in Eastern Avenue, Southend, which was officially re-opened yesterday.

Work included the installation of a specialised track, which allows surface water to drain away, and changes to the pole vault facilities which mean they can be adapted to cope with changing wind conditions.

Thanks to the improvements, the arena now enjoys a Class A Track Certificate from UK Athletics – this means it can host UK athletics competitions.

Derek Jarvis, the council’s executive councillor for culture and tourism, said: “These excellent facilities have been upgraded to the highest level.

“They further enhance what we can offer at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre for residents, for visitors, and as a pre-Olympic training camp for athletes from all over the world.”

The council has registered the sports centre with the London organising committe for the Olympics.

It now offers facilities for athletics, badminton players, and basketball teams, as well as Paralympic sports of boccia, goalball, sitting volleyball, wheelchair fencing and wheelchair tennis. It also has an Olympic-standard diving centre.

Mr Jarvis said: “We are trying to attract countries to come and have a look at all the facilities at Garon Park, including the swimming and diving pools.”

Youngsters from across the borough helped mark the occassion by completing an inaugural sprint on the track.

Mr Jarvis hopes the venue will highlight the Olympic games to Southend’s children.

He said: “The excitement is really building and this was a good way of reminding the children about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they have of seeing the Olympics.”

The centre already hosts regular disabled sports events ,including wheelchair tennis and shot putt.

It has also hosted international badminton matches and national championships in sports such as martial art jujitsu and trampolining.

David Taylor, general manager for Parkwood Community Leisure, which runs Southend’s leisure facilities for the council, said: “The track has had a full upgrade and our hope is that in the near future it will attract more business, and more participation in sport.

“We hope we will get more sports clubs down here for events too.”