News

Revamp of athletics facility at Bromley’s Norman Park underway

After nearly eight years of planning, redevelopment work is now underway on Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC’s (B&BHAC) new community sports and recreation centre at Norman Park in Bromley.

Scheduled for completion in September 2022, the project will secure a long-term future for the track at Norman Park which is one of the most-used athletics facilities in the country. The construction works will involve demolishing the park’s existing pavilion to make way for a new multi-sports facility and ‘community hub’ that includes an indoor sports hall, improved changing areas, physiotherapy suites and a café, as well as multi-purpose rooms which will be available for community use.

An artist's impression of the redeveloped track and pavilion at Norman Park

An artist's impression of the redeveloped track and pavilion at Norman Park

The majority of funding for the project is being provided by B&BHAC and its members – primarily from the sale of its existing clubhouse in Hayes. Sport England and Bromley Council have also agreed to help finance the new development which will be well used by a number of local community groups. Revenues raised from the operation of the multi-sports facility will also facilitate the maintenance costs of the revamped centre and athletics track.

"Creating a platform to enable the Club to continue to flourish"

B&BHAC is a long established and successful athletics club with a proud history stretching back to 1869. The thriving south London club has over 800 members including World Champion sprinters Adam Gemili and Dina Asher-Smith, as well as newly crowned British Marathon Champion Dr Phil Sesemann.

Speaking of the redevelopment project, Trustee and Head of Development Tim Soutar, commented:

“There have been a lot of hard yards to be covered to get us to this point, but we’ve always known that the development is critical to securing the future of the track at Norman Park and to creating a platform to enable the Club to continue to flourish with greater involvement in the local community. At last, we can now watch as the contractors begin to bring the dream to life.”