New eco-friendly floodlights at Tooting Bec Track helping Olympic hopefuls train longer 

Published: Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Athletes from the borough’s premier amateur athletics club Herne Hill Harriers can train longer into the evenings following the installation of new eco-friendly LED floodlights at their home track on Tooting Bec Common.

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The improved new floodlights have been welcomed by the club’s President Glen Keegan who said: “The new upgraded LED floodlights at Tooting Bec Track are fantastic and a very welcome improvement. Our athletes can train with confidence on the track and infield during the winter months. 

“Also it is good to know that they are not only brighter and clearer but greener using much less energy than the floodlights they replaced.”

As well as using less energy and therefore offering lower running costs, the LED lights also last longer than traditional equivalents and so will deliver additional savings on maintenance and replacement costs.
    
The new floodlights follow a major upgrade of the venue’s running surface and its facilities which were officially reopened by Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Environment Judi Gasser in July 2022 following a £500,000 refurbishment, which also involved upgrades to the changing rooms and showers along with better gym equipment.

Cllr Gasser said: “The new floodlights are part of a much wider package of recent improvements at the track which offer fantastic sporting opportunities for young people, our schools and of course to Herne Hill Harriers

“The club has been based in Tooting for 80 years and have used these track and field facilities to coach and train talented sportsmen and women from grassroots level to Olympic standard. I’m delighted our investment is helping to develop our future track and field stars.” 

The track on Tooting Common boasts:

▪ Floodlit eight lane running track with sprint facilities
▪ Internal steeplechase runway
▪ High jump fan inside the track, including a javelin runway
▪ Shot putt circle
▪ Double ended long jump/triple jump runway
▪ Double ended pole vault runway
▪ Hammer/discus cage
▪ Seating for 400 spectators
▪ A pavilion with fitness studio, fully equipped gym and changing rooms.

The track is one of two council-owned athletics venues in the borough. The other is located in Battersea Park at its Millennium Arena.