Crystal Palace celebrates 60th anniversary

12/07/2024 12:53

Special event at south London venue on July 13 marks the occasion with official opening of the refurbished track

The iconic sports venue of Crystal Palace celebrates its 60th anniversary this week with an event for the public on Saturday (July 13) from 9am to 7.30pm which will include the opening of the refurbished track at 11am.

It will feature exhibitions showcasing historic sporting moments to panel discussions exploring the architectural heritage. There are also live performances, interactive sports zones and a chance to try out a range of sports and activities and meet celebrity guests.

In addition there is an England Athletics young athletes’ funetics activation zone plus live music, food and a screening of the women’s tennis final at Wimbledon.

After falling into disrepair in recent years, last year saw the promise of “once in a generation redevelopment” of the venue.

There have been big fears that the centre would simply be demolished and as recently as November 2022 parts of the centre were closed due to fears over concrete pillars underneath floodlights. There have been a few false dawns too where promising plans have come to nothing.

The south London venue held the AAA Championships from 1971-1987 and many still regard it as the spiritual home of British athletics. In 2014 the stadium was threatened with demolition. Although in 2015 UK Athletics called for the retention of the facilities, mainly so that the large number of athletes based in the south London area would have a good indoor and outdoor training track.

Ben Woods, the person given the task of now leading the current redevelopment of the historic south London sports arena, told AW last year: “The early works are about getting a bit of life and belief back down at Crystal Palace. I understand the cynicism but ultimately the proof will be in the pudding.”

A revitalised Crystal Palace will eventually provide the sport with an alternative home to the London Stadium as the centrepiece for the sport in the capital.

See the event website for more details.

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