A proposal to provide a running track and changing accommodation at Glebelands was first approved in late 1955, when it was estimated to cost not less than £12,000. A grant of £3,240 had been offered by the Ministry of Education.[1] Initially progress was delayed owing to restrictions on capital expenditure.[2] The Council also approached the National Playing Fields Association which offered £1,000 grant towards the cost of the scheme.[3]
In August 1958 the Parks Committee heard that the Welsh Department, Ministry of Education would sanction a loan for the capital cost of the project and the work would have to be completed by 31st March 1959 to receive grants promised by the Ministry totalling £3,240. The Committee decided that in view of the urgency to complete the work, no provision would be made for field events, but that contracts would be negotiated with En-Tout-Cas Limited to construct the running track and Woolaway Construction Limited for a prefabricated building.[4] A tender was accepted in October 1958 from Taverner (Contractors) Ltd, to lay the concrete base for the changing accommodation at a cost of £1,450.[5]
The running track was reported to be complete on December 19th 1958, except for obtaining a certificate of measurement from the Amateur Athletics Association, so that record performances could be officially recognised.[6] Construction of the prefabricated building for changing accommodation was still in progress in January 1959.[7] The inaugural athletics meeting was arranged for June 6th 1959, with the opening ceremony performed by the Chairman of the National Playing Fields Association, Lord Luke of Pavenham.[8] Later that year the Parks Committee agreed that a plaque stating that the facilities at St Julians running track were provided with help of a grant from the National Playing Fields Association would be placed in a prominent position of the changing accommodation.[9] The final cost of the running track was reported to be £17,687 and the total grant received from the Ministry of Education and the National Playing Fields Association was £4,240.[10]
By late 1960 planning was in progress for construction of a grandstand at the running track.[11] It was decided to build a stand in reinforced concrete to seat 872 persons, and provide partial cover for 500 standing. A tender for this work was accepted from Building and Construction Co. Ltd of Cardiff for £20,425.[12] In December 1964 the design was extended to include changing and shower facilities underneath the concrete stand structure at an additional estimated cost of £20,000.[13] It was not until February 1966 that the Parks Committee agreed to accept the tender of W. Cowlin & Co. of £51,070-5s-10d for this work, which was to be carried out immediately.[14]
In 1968 the Council agreed to a request from the Monmouthshire A.A.A. (Amateur Athletic Association), that the 1968 County Championships be held at the St Julians running track as in previous years.[15]
Alterations and improvements to the running track and playing area were approved in January 1974. Including the provision of floodlighting the total estimated cost was £14,000.[16]
In later years there was little mention in Council records of development of the Glebelands athletics facilities. In the early 1990s the Council approved plans for construction of a Newport Sports Stadium at Spytty Park, with particular reference to athletic facilities.[17]
Sources of Information