TEAM Solent have pledged not to stand still now that their 13-year quest for an eight-lane athletics track is over.

Chairman Mike Smith says the area's leading track and field club would be willing to dip into it own coffers to improve the much-maligned track and field facilities at Southampton Sports Centre.

"The eight-lane track is a big step forward because it will enable us to hold high-quality meetings in Southampton, but it's important things don't stop there," he stressed.

"The changing block and spectator facilities are in desperate need of upgrading and perhaps we should be looking at under-cover accommodation." Such was Team Solent's determination to secure an eight-lane track that they offered to help fund the project, but ultimately their financial assistance was not required.

Southampton City Council have agreed to provide the full £160,000 needed to supplement the £900,000 Sport England lottery funding coming the city's way for the Millennium Youth Games.

Councillor Julian Price, chair of Southampton's Leisure Services Committee, said the eight-lane facility was vital if Southampton were to avoid becoming "an athletics backwater."

Work is expected to be completed by next July and that day can't come soon enough for Team Solent, who were promoted to the British Men's League Division 1 despite being unable to host national-grade meetings on the current six-lane track.

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