A BARRY Councillor is asking the Vale of Glamorgan Council to organise a meeting to discuss the future of athletics at Jenner Park.

Concerns have been raised by athletics groups who use the track at Jenner Park, that plans to introduce an all weather artificial 3G pitch at the stadium would impede their training and possibly even bring an end to athletics at the venue.

Independent, Councillor Richard Bertin said: "I hope to see athletics remain at Jenner Park as it has been there for many years.

“Many schools use the stadium for their sports events as do other groups and that was the original intention of the park so they should not be forced out for the sake of an artificial football pitch.”

With plans due to go before the Vale of Glamorgan council's cabinet next month, the results of a feasibility study that went before Cabinet last week explained that this would not be the case.

The report reads: "It can be confirmed that the 400m track would remain in any redevelopment.

"It is also expected that all the existing athletic field sports can be maintained at Jenner, albeit some would not meet competition standards."

On Monday (April 13) cabinet members saw a report, from member for Visible and Leisure Services Gwyn John, that explained the findings of consultants who have been investigating the feasibility of introducing a 3G all weather pitch to Barry Town United's stadium.

The proposal is aimed at reducing maintenance costs at the ground which has been dogged with waterlogging problems for the last few seasons, leaving the ground unplayable for long stretches during the winter months.

Other suggestions forwarded in the report include using a section of the Court Road depot as a car park for the ground and the addition of three five-a-side pitches for hire, built adjacent to Jenner Park.