Thumbs up for new all-weather track

It's been a while coming, but the all-weather track at the Colin Pugh Sports Bowl got its formal opening on Friday evening.

Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa general manager P J Devonshire led a formal walk-on for guests, councillors, sponsors, athletes and supporters, followed by Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson declaring the ground formally open with a crack from a starter's pistol.

Wairarapa All Weather Track Trust chairman Jonathan Hooker said discussions to create the track started in 2007, with the trust forming in 2008.

Local firm Oldfields began construction work in 2011, on a site that was largely old riverbed.

Because the original grass track had been marked out to international standards, the new track was placed exactly on that footprint.

It was finished on 10 December 2012, with the first event in January 2013.

Mr Hooker acknowledged the journey to create the $900,000 facility had its share of hiccups, controversy and funding problems.

"The track is now here and is already being acclaimed.

"The two North Island Secondary School champs have already proved the track's worth.

"We have a facility we can all be incredibly proud of," he said.

Ms Patterson said the track was "a celebration of what the community can do".

Young athlete Alex Howden said he remembered what the grass track was like. "They had a football field here as well, so they had to remeasure every time. He said for sprinting, the track gave a lot more traction. "You can use blocks more efficiently."

Sian Chapman agreed. "With grass, unless you've got long spikes, you slip backwards." She said the grass surface was uneven and had holes.