SCHOOL children, park run enthusiasts and local sports groups will soon benefit from improved training facilities at King s Park Athletics Centre, as work gets underway on a full refurbishment. BCP Council is leading on the work which will bring about a newly resurfaced running track and enhancements to the long jump area. Works to improve accessibility and lighting are also planned as part of the £452,000 investment. In 2018, AFC Bournemouth confirmed it was working with the council on plans for a new stadium at their preferred site within King s Park, involving a redevelopment of the athletics stadium land. However, later that year it was announced that the project was delayed, with the club s shareholders and board of directors stating that having a new stadium ready by the summer of 2020, as initially planned, was “overly optimistic”.