Keelung Athletics Track Passes Certification, to Open in September

Central News Agency (Reporter Wang Chao-yu, Keelung 27th) The reconstruction of Keelung City Athletics Track has faced multiple setbacks, taking over five years. The track has now passed national-level certification and is expected to be completed in June and open for public use in September. Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang stated today that future record-breaking achievements will be eligible for official recognition. The athletics track reconstruction project encountered continuous difficulties after commencing in 2021 (ROC year 110), including design changes and contractor terminations. It was re-tendered at the end of 2022 (ROC year 111) and construction recommenced on March 20, 2023 (ROC year 112). The project cost is NT$790 million, and the project scope includes a parking area, grandstand structure, two covered basketball courts, two tennis courts, and the track engineering. The grandstand area will provide 2000 seats. The Keelung City Government's Department of Education announced via a press release that the track has passed the National-level 400-meter standard athletics track accreditation by the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association. Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang pointed out that athletes will no longer need to rent venues in other counties and cities for competitions and training, significantly enhancing convenience. Furthermore, the standard track will provide athletes with more formal training, and record-breaking achievements in official competitions can now be officially recognized, marking a very important milestone for the Keelung athletics community. Regarding the indoor sports classroom section of the athletics track, Lin Po-shu, director of the Keelung City Stadium, stated that it will be entrusted to a private operator through a promotional participation model. The city government has already selected three vendors and is expected to negotiate with the first-priority vendor in May. Additionally, the venue will provide 200 car parking spaces and 178 motorcycle parking spaces, and these will also be operated by the same entrusted vendor as the indoor sports classroom. If negotiations proceed smoothly, trial operations could begin simultaneously in September. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150427