Community raises more than £190k towards new track at Marl Pits

Work will soon begin to rip up the old Marl Pits running track in Rawtenstall and replace it with a state-of-the-art new all-weather facility. 

Thanks to a massive community effort which involved Rossendale Harriers, Rossendale Triathlon Club, Rossendale Leisure Trust and special needs sports club Rossendale Rays, £190,700 was raised in just six months. Rossendale Council contributed a further £100,000. 

A JustGiving page alone raised more than £91,000, with many families who use or have used the facility contributing. More was raised offline including £70k from the will of the late Harry Frost, a former councillor and master craftsman in joinery and electrical drawing. 

Solomon Commercials in Haslingden donated £10,000 and Bacup businesses Wynsors World of Shoes and Limelight Signs both added £3,000. 

Leisure Trust Chief Executive Ken Masser said: “I first started running on the track at Marl Pits in the early ‘90s when I was about nine years old. 

“At the last training session for Rossendale Harriers before we begin refurbishment work to finally bring a new track to Rossendale, I watched my nine-year-old son running round that same track. 

“So many brilliant people have contributed to this amazing and long overdue investment – I feel humbled and privileged to have played a small role in facilitating it finally coming to fruition.  

“I can’t wait to join in the first session of a new era with a new track later in the spring.” 

The Rossendale Council owned running track was groundbreaking when it was first built in 1967 by the former Rawtenstall Borough Council as it was reported to be the first 400m track in the country. 

However, its rough cinder surface was outdated and rendered the track unusable in bad weather as water would gather in pools. 

The new surface will be an all-weather rubberised tartan-track and it is hoped work will be completed by May or June. 

Rossendale Council Leader Councillor Alyson Barnes said: “I’m delighted to see that the track will finally be replaced. It’s really important to the borough and so well used and considering its over 50 years old it was more than overdue to be replaced.  

“I would like to place on record my thanks to the clubs for taking the initiative and bringing forward the original proposal.  

“This is the start of a push by the council to see sports facilities updated across the borough. The next will be the playing pitch strategy and facilities review, which will also involve us working with Sport England.  

“We want to see an improvement in our football pitches and sports facilities generally across Rossendale and will be releasing more information on these initiatives over the coming months.”  

Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure Councillor Barbara Ashworth said: “It is fantastic that the clubs have raised more than £190,000 which the council is delighted to match with £100,000. As a result, we will have a facility to be proud of with a surface to international standards.”  

From front left Chair of Rossendale Harriers Graham Wright, Rossendale Rays Paul Mulderrig and Chief Executive of Rossendale Leisure Trust Ken Masser with members of Rossendale Harriers in the background.