THE long quest for decent athletics facilities in Winchester will end on May 2.

That is when the Winchester Sports Stadium in Bar End will be officially opened by Olympic runner Liz Yelling.

The 400-plus member athletics club has been campaigning for a purpose-built track since leaving the track at Abbotts Barton in the late 1980s.

To celebrate, the university and city council is holding a sports festival event for all the family. It offers a chance for people to participate in activities and events, try out a wide range of sports, find out about clubs and how to get involved.

The stadium has an Olympic standard 400m eight-lane athletics track with supporting facilities for field events, an all-weather hockey and general sports pitch, floodlighting and a pavilion. It opened in July 2008 and cost £3.5 million.

Civic chiefs are hoping that a national athletics squad will use the track as a training base before the 2012 London Olympics.

“The Winchester Sports Stadium is a tremendous facility and its official opening as part of the Winchester Sports Festival is a wonderful way to celebrate this event,” said Professor Joy Carter, Vice Chancellor of the university.

City councillor Pat Stallard, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and sport, said: “The festival is a celebration of sport and offers a whole range of fun activities for all the family on May Bank Holiday.

“The Stadium is open to the wider community and the Festival is a great opportunity for people to explore the facilities on offer and get involved in sport locally.”

It will be officially opened at 2.30pm by Olympic marathon runner, Liz Yelling.

The Winchester Sports Festival is free and takes place from 10am-4pm. Food and drink is available throughout the day with parking at the nearby St Catherine’s park and ride.

The stadium is open daily from 8am-9pm, seven days a week. To find out about becoming a member or how to book the facilities call 01962 827007.