Works to resurface the running track at Queens Park Stadium, part of the Inverness Leisure Campus, are set to begin towards the end of May following a symbolic handover to contractor Allsports Construction & Maintenance, attended by Olympic athlete and Inverness Harrier Megan Keith, the Council's Vice Convener and High Life Highland's Director of Community, Leisure and Sport.

The £650,000 scheme, funded through The Highland Council's Highland Investment Plan (HIP) and delivered in partnership with High Life Highland, will renew the athletics track to ensure it remains high-quality, safe and compliant with competition standards, while supporting schools, clubs and community users.

Vice Convener of the Council and Senior Strategic Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "This project at Queens Park Stadium running track is the first dedicated leisure project funded through the Highland Investment Plan. It clearly demonstrates how the HIP will benefit communities and, in this case, the wider sporting community, clubs, schools and users of Queens Park Stadium. I look forward to many more communities benefitting from future HIP investments over the coming years."

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James Martin, High Life Highland's Director of Community, Leisure and Sport said: "Queens Park Stadium is a key part of Inverness Leisure Campus and plays a major role in Highland track and field participation. The existing track has supported many athletes over the years and thanks the investment of The Highland Council, we hope the refurbished Queen Park will support the next generations of athletics activity, alongside the growth and development of school, club and community sport programmes."

Megan Keith added: "I am very excited about the running track refurbishment, as it is the only athletics facility in the area, and therefore the heart and soul of the athletics community in Inverness and the Highlands.

"From competing in some of my first races on it as a young junior, to completing sessions in preparation for the Olympic Games last summer with my training group, the Queens Park track has been a constant, and crucial, feature in my athletics journey, so I am excited both to train on the new facility upon completion as I continue my career, and to hopefully watch my club, Inverness Harriers, flourish as a result of the work."

The programme includes replacing the synthetic track surface, refreshed line markings, drainage upgrades, refurbishment of the steeplechase pit and improvements to associated field event infrastructure. Accessibility will also be enhanced, including better access routes to throwing and shot put areas.

The refurbishment is part of the Council's £2.1 billion, 20‑year Highland Investment Plan to improve local infrastructure and services, financed through a combination of capital investment and a dedicated annual allocation of 2% ring‑fenced Council Tax revenue.

Every effort will be made to minimise disruption during construction. Where required, High Life Highland, supported by The Highland Council, has arranged for affected athletics clubs to train temporarily at alternative local facilities and will provide advance notice of any changes to availability.

Work is due to commence towards the end of May 2026, with completion anticipated in late summer. The schedule has been planned to accommodate major events already booked at the venue, and further updates will be issued as construction progresses.