Saffron Lane sports centre
Encyclopedia
Saffron Lane sports centre is a large 8 lane (9 lane straight) 400 metre synthetic floodlight lit running track which includes a steeplechase
water jump, in Leicester
, England
. It is home to the city's top two athletics clubs, the sprint and field specialists Leicester Coritanian A.C. and the middle and long distance specialists, OWLS AC Leicester
. Other athletics squads train at the track, namely Leicester Walking Club, some members of University of Leicester
athletics team among other local running clubs.
, however this side of the complex is subject to planning permission for a new housing estate. The velodrome hosted the British National Stayers Championships and the British National Track Championships
for several decades before it fell into disrepair due to lack of funds. The venue hosted British and World track cycling and Road Racing championships in August 1970. The cycle track was improved specially for the event which was televised all over the world. Another first meant that sponsors were allowed to buy sections of the track to utilise for advertising purposes. This was also the first time that a public road - the A46
- was closed in the UK to allow the Road Race to take place:- See The Benny Foster Story published by Fretwell 1971.
In 2006 the centre received a £1.4 million facelift coutesy of Leicester City Council. As part of the facelift new state of the art field sports equipment was purchased, a new purpose built changing facility was built and a replacement synthetic track surface was laid. The development also includes facilities for both disabled and able bodied athletes. The complex was officially reopened by Jonathan Edwards
in July 2006.
Saffron Lane Athletics Centre holds the Schools' City Athletics each year. The fastest boys and girls from each school go head to head in running and throwing events.
American Football team and hosting the national British American Football Association
's annual finals Bowl Game for nearly ten years in a row, until 2002 when it was relocated to Lee Valley Park
.
Since 2001 the story of the stadium has been one of decay, vandalism and even arson. A decision about its future had to be taken. BBC Leicester's
Julie Mayer
spoke to people who are both for and against fighting to keep the velodrome. The City Council decided that the stadium should be razed to the ground and the demolition plant moved in, but the decision proved controversial. Cllr. Dale Keeling who represents the area said "The residents and I have had to fight extremely hard to convince the city council to invest in the velodrome to make it a centre of sporting excellence again. The location is ideal and it has a large car park."
A local resident, Zelda Rubinstein who has watched the velodrome's decline with sadness said: "I've been here for about eleven years and I'd be very sorry to see this facility go. It could be used for young people. We need open spaces. We're quite built up here. I look out of my windows and I see what's going on. There was a constant stream of fire engines. There has been little in the way of security."
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
water jump, in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is home to the city's top two athletics clubs, the sprint and field specialists Leicester Coritanian A.C. and the middle and long distance specialists, OWLS AC Leicester
OWLS AC Leicester
The Leicester Owls Athletics Club is one of the three leading athletics teams in Leicestershire, UK. It has gained many regional and national accolades as well as some athletes representing internationally while they were members of the club...
. Other athletics squads train at the track, namely Leicester Walking Club, some members of University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
athletics team among other local running clubs.
History
The track opened as a synthetic 'En-Tout-Cas' on 6 May 1967 and was the first track of its type built in England. The complex formerly also included Leicester's cycle velodromeVelodrome
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
, however this side of the complex is subject to planning permission for a new housing estate. The velodrome hosted the British National Stayers Championships and the British National Track Championships
British National Track Championships
The British National Track Championships are held annually. Organized by British Cycling, they are competitions of various track cycling disciplines in age, gender and disability categories.-Senior :-Amateur :...
for several decades before it fell into disrepair due to lack of funds. The venue hosted British and World track cycling and Road Racing championships in August 1970. The cycle track was improved specially for the event which was televised all over the world. Another first meant that sponsors were allowed to buy sections of the track to utilise for advertising purposes. This was also the first time that a public road - the A46
A46 road
The A46 is an A road in England. It starts east of Bath, Somerset and ends in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, but it does not form a continuous route. Large portions of the old road have been lost, bypassed, or replaced by motorway development...
- was closed in the UK to allow the Road Race to take place:- See The Benny Foster Story published by Fretwell 1971.
In 2006 the centre received a £1.4 million facelift coutesy of Leicester City Council. As part of the facelift new state of the art field sports equipment was purchased, a new purpose built changing facility was built and a replacement synthetic track surface was laid. The development also includes facilities for both disabled and able bodied athletes. The complex was officially reopened by Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards (athlete)
Jonathan David Edwards, CBE, is a former British triple jumper. He is a former Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World champion, and has held the world record in the event since 1995....
in July 2006.
Saffron Lane Athletics Centre holds the Schools' City Athletics each year. The fastest boys and girls from each school go head to head in running and throwing events.
The end of the Velodrome
Once regarded as one of the best cycling facilities in the country the track been empty for nearly a decade and the velodrome is being demolished. The 3,100 seater velodrome on Saffron Lane in Leicester was built in 1978 and was a state-of-the-art cycling track attracting top cyclists from all over the country. At the centre of the track was an all-weather pitch, once home of the Leicester PanthersLeicester Panthers
The Leicester Panthers were a British American Football team, formed in 1984 and disbanded in 1996 who played home games at Saffron Lane sports centre. In the time they played, they recorded only one losing season, and won the league final in 1996, the year they dissolved the team...
American Football team and hosting the national British American Football Association
British American Football Association
The British American Football Association is the national governing body for the sport of American football in the United Kingdom. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football...
's annual finals Bowl Game for nearly ten years in a row, until 2002 when it was relocated to Lee Valley Park
Lee Valley Park
Lee Valley Regional Park is a long linear park, much of it green spaces, running through the northeast of London, Essex and Hertfordshire from the River Thames to Ware in Hertfordshire, England through areas such as Hackney, Tottenham, Enfield, Stratford, Tower Hamlets, Walthamstow, Cheshunt,...
.
Since 2001 the story of the stadium has been one of decay, vandalism and even arson. A decision about its future had to be taken. BBC Leicester's
BBC Radio Leicester
BBC Radio Leicester is the BBC Local Radio service for the English counties of Leicestershire and Rutland. The station broadcasts from studios in Leicester on 104.9 FM, on DAB, and via the BBC iPlayer.-History:...
Julie Mayer
Julie Mayer (broadcaster)
Julie Mayer is a British radio presenter who can currently be heard on BBC Radio Leicester. She is most notable for presenting shows alongside her husband, Tony Wadsworth....
spoke to people who are both for and against fighting to keep the velodrome. The City Council decided that the stadium should be razed to the ground and the demolition plant moved in, but the decision proved controversial. Cllr. Dale Keeling who represents the area said "The residents and I have had to fight extremely hard to convince the city council to invest in the velodrome to make it a centre of sporting excellence again. The location is ideal and it has a large car park."
A local resident, Zelda Rubinstein who has watched the velodrome's decline with sadness said: "I've been here for about eleven years and I'd be very sorry to see this facility go. It could be used for young people. We need open spaces. We're quite built up here. I look out of my windows and I see what's going on. There was a constant stream of fire engines. There has been little in the way of security."