Lee Valley Athletics Centre is set to undergo a transformation with an £688,000 investment from Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

The refurbishment project, expected to be fully completed by September 2023, will enhance the facilities at the centre, reinforcing its position as a best in class facility with this investment.

Lee Valley Athletics Centre, operated by charitable social enterprise Better, is renowned as the training ground for Olympic and British athletes such as Imani lansiquot, Tommy Ramdhan, Jessie Knight, Martina Barber, and twin sisters Lina and Laviai Nielsen.

The investment will enhance training for athletes looking to follow in the footsteps of former heroes Jonnie Peacock, Greg Rutherford, and Dwain Chambers, clubs, local school children and regular gym-goers.

One of the major upgrades in the refurbishment project is the transformation of the Ron Pickering Room into a dual-use space of a cutting-edge fitness class studio and a meeting room, providing a modern space for fitness classes, conferences and seminars, catering to the diverse needs of the centre's community.

The reception area will also be remodelled to create a more welcoming and accessible entrance for visitors.

The Strength and Conditioning suite, as well as the gym and cardio area, previously known as Challenge Central, will undergo major improvements to enhance the training experience for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, with over £170,000 of the investment being dedicated to purchasing the latest Technogym equipment.

Shaun Dawson, chief executive at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said: “We are delighted to be carrying out this major investment project at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

"This project, along with the recently installed lightning fast Mondotrack® synthetic track system - the most technologically advanced track surface in the world - demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring this inclusive venue is maintained to the highest standards for all users, from elite athletes to members of the local community and school children.”

Matthew Robinson, General Manager at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, added: "We are thrilled to receive this significant investment from Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and excited to be working with them to improve the facilities at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

"The refurbishment project will enable us to provide a state-of-the-art fitness facility that caters to the needs of all the community, from people looking to improve their general health and wellbeing to athletes preparing to compete on the national and international stage.

“We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience for all our users, and these upgrades will help us achieve that."

Visit https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre for more information.