Let’s all vote Grangemouth: please fill in Falkirk Council survey

Tuesday 17th January 2023

Photo by Bobby Gavin

scottishathletics are urging the athletics community to lend their support for Grangemouth Stadium.

We are deeply concerned around the future of Grangemouth after Falkirk Council warned about the possible closure of facilities and buildings.

The venue is hugely significant for the track and field community in Scotland and has played a key role in a number of ways over recent years.

Now we want out members to let Falkirk Council know their support for Grangemouth via the Council’s online survey -ahead of a deadline of Friday 27 January.

Once into the survey, scroll through the properties and select ‘Grangemouth Sports Stadium’.

Falkirk Council survey

Chief executive Colin Hutchison and our chair, David Ovens, have expressed those concerns and we

await further discussions with Falkirk Council.

But it will be helpful if the athletics community makes it clear that Grangemouth is an important facility both locally but also in the national sense as a key venue for track and field.

David Ovens and Colin Hutchison – deep concerns around Grangemouth stadium plans (photos by Bobby Gavin)

Here are the thoughts of Colin and David . . .

‘We’ve become aware of plans being made public by Falkirk Council – with Grangemouth Stadium among a large number of buildings identified for possible closure due to financial gaps.

‘This is a huge concern for athletics in Scotland as a sport and us as the governing body.

‘We have reached out to Falkirk Council and other stakeholders and expect to be involved in any and all imminent discussions around the future of Grangemouth Stadium.

‘In many ways, Grangemouth is the main hub/home for track and field and in recent years as such has played host to National Championships, National Age Group Champs, Scottish Schools, Scottish Student Sport and Scottish Disability Sport.

‘Our top trio of elite medal winners over 2022 – Eilish McColgan, Laura Muir and Jake Wightman – have all competed there on countless occasions on the athlete pathway from grassroots to elite success.

‘It is also a key club venue for Falkirk Victoria Harriers, one of our larger clubs, and Forth Valley Flyers, who do great work with athletes of all abilities and disabilities.

‘And the indoor area – arguably in the top three in Scotland in terms of the facility – is used by training groups as well as clubs. Grangemouth is also used for education courses for coaches and for Officials.’