ATHLETICS stalwart George Bunner and Halton and Frodsham Harriers chairman Peter Allen say the changes to the historic club’s Castle Park site have made the venue unusable.

George Bunner MBE, creator of the Sportshall Athletics scheme and long-term club organiser, who retired this year after 38 years, has told of his unhappiness at the £3.2m redevelopment work at the popular Frodsham site.

He said: “It’s unusable by the Harriers and they are considering leaving the park.

“It’s not what they were promised.

“It’s just a waste.

“I think it’s dreadful, I don’t know if it’s too late. There might be a solution but I don’t know.

“Having attended all the liaison meetings over the last two years, the Harriers had always stressed and been assured that the cross country course in Frodsham Park, which is used by both schools and clubs alike, would remain and be unaffected but unfortunately this is not the case and the course has become unusable.

“We are most surprised that the area is tarmacked which is not what we would expect when all-weather surfaces are referred to.

“The Harriers were always under the impression that the area by the pavilion would contain two tennis courts, the long jump pit and an open, all-weather area for general use which could be used for high jump and the other activities that we used to do on the old grass area.

“The area is now very restricted and unusable for our activities.

“The third point is that we were under the impression that the grassed area on which the builders yard had been placed during the construction period would be returned to its original state as this was the area where the Harriers held their throwing events such as discus, hammer and shot.

“To our dismay we understand that structures are to be placed on this area which will impede our throwing.

“It is important for a club to provide a full range of events for children and variety if interest is to be maintained.”

The Halton and Frodsham Harriers took over the former farmer’s field in the 1970s after George and his peers campaigned to transform the site into a cross-country running track, removing shrubs and persuading a building firm to flatten the field for free, only receiving a grant for £300 to put up motorway huts as a pavilion.

World-renowned marathon runner Paula Radcliffe’s potential was spotted at the site, where she ran before joining Bedford and County Athletics Club.

Halton and Frodsham Harriers chairman Peter Allen added: “The council say they have been having regular meetings, that was an untruth, we haven’t been kept in the loop.

“There’s been no consultation. They claim the other groups have had regular consultation but we’re totally in the dark.

“People have been put in charge of the project that haven’t got a clue.

“There’s no way we can use that area.

“We need to make all these surfaces a safe surface and we need to incorporate somewhere where we can do the high jump.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council spokeswoman Shirley Wingfield said: “The Harriers have been consulted about the changes which are now in place.

“Those areas which have been surfaced can now be used for a variety of sports, still leaving a massive top field for the Harriers to use, and the running track is untouched.

“We have also refurbished the long jump.

“The pavilion contains toilets and showers which can be used by members of the club.

“We will meet with the Harriers to discuss all these things.

“The council is surprised and disappointed with the comments of both the bowling club and the athletics club as there has been ongoing liaison with these organisations.

“We do not envisage that any of the issues raised are insurmountable and prefer to address the matters around the table rather than in the media.

“Officers are now arranging to meet both clubs to fully understand why these 11th hour issues have been raised.

“We are confident that like all complex projects we will find an amicable way forward.”