AN athletics club may finally be able to host home events as part of a multi-million-bid to boost running facilities in the city.

Huge new plans for Nunnery Wood Sports Centre in Worcester would see a new sports hall and exercise studio built at the site off Spetchley Road alongside a resurfaced running track.

The work, which forms part of a bid for government ‘levelling up’ money approved by Worcester City Council’s policy and resources committee on Monday (June 4), also includes a new clubhouse with changing rooms and toilets, kitchen and seating, new floodlights, a bigger gym and changing rooms and a new reception and bigger car park.

Cllr Karen Lewing, who represents the Arboretum ward, said the work should finally allow Worcester Athletics Club to put on home meets.

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At the meeting in the Guildhall, she said: “I have spent my time there travelling around the country going to other stadiums, with grandstands, with toilet facilities, which have been fantastic, at great expense, and then not being able to have a home game has been really disappointing for people, particularly people who don’t like travelling.

“I’m so supportive of it, and it will benefit the school as well. I think it’s absolutely wonderful.”

Cllr Pat Agar, who represents the city’s Nunnery ward, said she was glad the council was ‘raising its game’ at the “tired-looking” Nunnery Wood.

“It’s rather dated,” she said. “If we are going to make it for the future, it needs quite a lot of attention. So it’s good to see it getting that.”

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Cllr Jabba Riaz added: “[Nunnery Wood] was once our flagship asset within the city, when it was first built, and it’s time that it did get invested in. And I’m glad it is so.”

Worcester Athletic Club has been unable to hold any events at the hole-filled and “dilapidated” track and was forced to scrap any bids to host county championships over safety fears.

Young runners have also been forced to travel to other parts of the West Midlands and Wales to compete because the facilities at Nunnery Wood are inadequate.

The proposed £20 million bid by Worcester City Council also includes major improvements to Worcester’s Pitchcroft Racecourse and the former Engine Works building in Shrub Hill.