Rift over 'rusting' athletics track

Masterton's all-weather athletics track has seemingly been battling more than just rust problems on its rubber surface, including acrimony between the trust that administers it and Athletics Cycling Masterton (ACM).

A series of questions put to Wairarapa Regional All Weather Track Trust chairman Jonathan Hooker has confirmed the track has had to face several hurdles apart from the rusting surface.

In fact, the spot rust and bubbling of the track surface - caused it is thought by the rubber having been contaminated by metal from ribs in old tyres being used in some sections - may have been brought under control.

Mr Hooker said extensive repairs to the track were done under warranty last athletics season by a team brought in from overseas. He said there has since been some further minor lifting. Samples of the rusting track were sent to Callaghan Innovation for testing but as no definitive answer was forthcoming as to the cause, the trust was not able to claim against the warranty.

" It seems to have dissipated over winter but let's see what happens in summer," Mr Hooker said. Regarding use of the million dollar track Mr Hooker it was "mischievous" to suggest only 14 athletes trained by coach - and fellow district councillor - Mark Harris used it.

He understood several coaches used the track along with organisations like Idea Services, Special Olympics, Cross Fit and rugby clubs. "It has been used by schools to hold athletics championships as well as interschool and regional events.

"Athletics Wairarapa are also users and are offering paid coaching at the track but I have no idea of the numbers," Mr Hooker said.

He was not party to who received income from training athletes.

"Do we know who pays to train with swim coaches at the Rec Centre or at any other council or sports facility in town?

"What I do know is it appears Mark and his training group are one of the few who actually pay their dues to use the track," Mr Hooker said.

He said it was fair to say an acrimonious situation existed between ACM and the track trust with ACM "wanting nothing to do with the track".

"I believe this is residual from the disintegration of the first track committee."

Mr Hooker said he was not involved in athletics as a sport but personally found the behaviour "strange".

"From the outside I would have thought, from the way they behaved, that harriers and track and field were two totally separate sports.

"They operate under one national body but locally never the twain shall meet it seems.

"You could equally say ACM's relationship with Masterton District Council has been the same, with what I suspect is thousands of dollars spent on legal fees, and their fighting against the signing of their lease."

Mr Hooker said there had certainly been many hours of council officers' time taken up.

"Personalities have been an issue," he said.

Mr Hooker said some athletes seem to look upon the all-weather track as a facility to be "used and abused".

"There has been issues with throwers not repairing the damage they cause as they go along, which is dangerous for others using the grass surface."

Recently he and Mr Harris had spent several hours repairing the throw safety nets.

Mr Hooker said like any facility there were protocols about use and Mr Harris had ended up being the "policeman". "He spent an incredible amount of his time getting the track and he wants to see it remain in tip-top condition.

"He has also tried to get users to pay - unsuccessfully - which has again caused friction."

Mr Hooker named the six members of the trust board as being himself, Mr Harris, Stephen Brown, Doug Whitcombe, Jill Stringer and John Quinn.

"Tom Roseingrave officially resigned from the trust but has continued to do our annual accounts," he said.