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We are proud to serve as the legal representatives for Chichester Runners & A.C with their exciting new running track set to open at Chichester College. This state-of-the-art facility will not only provide athletes and college students with a premier space to train and compete, but will also strengthen the local Chichester community spirit by promoting health, wellness, and inclusion. It has been our privilege to help bring this vision to life, ensuring every step of the process met the highest legal standards.
Read more from our Commercial Property Solicitors here.
Chichester Runners' press release:
It is just over 40 years since the original 12 founding members formed Chichester Runners & AC. Even then there was a vision that one day Chichester would have a running track where runners, particularly juniors, could safely train to the very highest level all year round. To this end, the club has since its inception been saving any residual profits into a track fund whilst we explored possible arrangements for developing a track. For the last 10 years we have been based at Chichester College, and it is a natural extension of this arrangement to combine with the College to develop a 300m training and sprint track.
The unusual shape of the track is a response to the site constraints and combines the long swept bend of a standard 400m track with 2 No banked bends that would be found on an indoor track, thereby allowing athletes to power around at top speed. The configuration has been enthusiastically welcomed by England Athletics Technical Committee, who see It as an exemplar solution, and in line with World Athletics relaxation of the shape and format of running tracks outside of 400m oval tracks. In addition to the main 300m track the development incudes 60m sprint lanes and an area for high jump. In future we would hope to add long jump as well.
Fundamental to arriving at this point is our partnership with Chichester College, who will be managing the track and using it during College hours. Their team have been, and continue to be, hugely supportive of our endeavours and share our excitement in realising this development. On the legal side, we are indebted to Glanvilles LLP, particularly Darren Edwards, Gareth Madden and Will Stisted for dealing with the bespoke contractual agreements necessary in such a project. Likewise, we are similarly indebted to Phil Faulkner of Archibald Shaw for providing engineering services.
The total cost of the track and levelling the internal football pitch is £340K. Approximately 50% of the funding is from the fund built up over the years by the Club, and more recent specific giving by club members and the wider community. Chichester District Council has also been very generous, with grants totalling just over £100K, and the balance of the cost is covered by grants from the Woodger Trust, England Athletics, Sussex AA and Bognor Regis AC. Whilst the Club has the funds to meet our construction commitments for the track, our fund raising continues as there is equipment (hurdles etc) to be purchased, as well as a container for storage. Details of track sponsorship can be found here
Work commenced on site late September, and the track should be complete up to and including the bitumen subbase by the end of November. There will then be a pause before the synthetic topping can be installed when the weather improves in spring 2026. In the meantime, runners will be able to use the track, but not with spikes!
Once complete, the track will be a facility for use by all. Bookings will be managed by the College and it is envisioned that outside of College and Club use, the track will be used by schools and other groups who would benefit from a safe environment in which to try or improve running. In the long term, we hope that it will provide opportunities for athletes to achieve their potential, whatever their age or level, without the need for costly and time consuming trips to either Portsmouth or Worthing tracks. In so doing we are creating a facility that will promote well being and fitness throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Article written and provided by Chichester Runners & A.C.
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The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute, legal advice, and should not be relied upon as advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. All content was correct at the time of publishing. Legal advice should always be sought in relation to specific circumstances.