The High Performance Centre (HiPac) was built as the only indoor training and competition venue for athletics in the West Midlands. Since the closure of the venue for the Commonwealth Games the facility has never been returned to a full athletics venue with no sand in the jumping pits, and no throws nets.

This means athletes in the region have had nowhere to train and in poor weather have had to travel for at least an hour in order to access training facilities.

Birmingham City Council has now put in a planning application to take out space in the HiPac to create a gym for the general public. There are numerous gyms in the area so this is not necessary and not a legacy for athletics. This development will mean there may be no indoor training facility for pole vault or throws so field athletes will be greatly disadvantaged. It wil also stop any local indoor competitions so local athletes have to travel significant distance for competition in the winter months.

We are asking all athletes and coaches to support the campaign to keep the Hipac and stop the proposed development plans. Please sign this petition and protect what facilities we have left.