The athletics track at Bury Leisure Centre which is managed by Abbeycroft Leisure on behalf of West Suffolk Council, has achieved TrackMark accreditation – UK Athletics' quality assurance scheme for track and field facilities.

TrackMark was introduced in 2019 and it aims to raise and maintain standards of athletics provision and help ensure that all participants can enjoy athletics in a safe, enjoyable environment.

Central to the accreditation process is a requirement for the facilities to undergo independent, professional track surface and field equipment inspections that assess the facility against published safety and quality standards. Once completed, the reports provide an up to date condition survey and a detailed and time phased action plan designed to help operators ensure that the facility meets minimum standards both now and well into the future.

Warren Smyth, chief executive at Abbeycroft Leisure:

"Achieving TrackMark is great news as this positions us as the home for athletics in Bury St Edmunds and beyond. As a venue we will be able to attract local and regional events and I'm very grateful to UK Athletics and our team for all their hard work."

Ed Hunt – National Facilities and Planning Manager with UK Athletics the National Governing Body for Athletics in the UK said:

"As well as providing training facilities for West Suffolk Athletics Club the athletics track at Bury St Edmunds is also a key competition venue for athletics in the Eastern region. Initial TrackMark inspections highlighted that field event improvement work was required. As a direct result of the inspection – West Suffolk Council invested in the modernisation of their discus and hammer throws cage and, through Abbeycroft's final TrackMark submission, strongly demonstrated that the facility is well managed and maintained and meets all the standards required by the governing body."

Cllr Jo Rayner, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Community Hubs for West Suffolk Council, said:

"West Suffolk Council has invested in providing modern and high standard leisure facilities across the whole district. We are really pleased to see that Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre, through Abbeycroft, has achieved the prestigious TrackMark accreditation which once again highlights the importance we put on providing high quality leisure facilities. Not only do we hope this will inspire athletes of the future, no matter their level, to exercise, have fun, enjoy sport and maintain their health and wellbeing."

To find out more about hiring the athletics track at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre visit www.acleisure.com