Prefecture Gives Approval for Akashi Park Track to be Renovated to Maintain Official Certification

On Sept. 13 Hyogo Prefecture announced its approval for Akashi Park's Kishiro Stadium track and Tocal Baseball Stadium's aging facilities to be renovated and updated beginning next fiscal year. The plans were also submitted the same day at a subcommittee meeting of the Prefectural City Park Study Group in Akashi.

A Class 3 certified track and field facility, Kishiro Stadium is used to host a range of competitions. According to a prefectural government spokesperson, over a six-month period beginning in October, 2023 the track will be renovated to change its lane width from 1.25 m to the modern regulation 1.22 m width, and will have its photofinish equipment updated so that the facility can continue to meet current certification requirements. Officials are also examining replacing spectator stands too old to be repaired, updating toilets, showers, and other facilities, as well as making the entire venue barrier-free.

In Tocal Baseball Stadium about 40% of the seating is currently unusable due to its upper stands not meeting modern standards. The prefectural government plans to initiate detailed reinforcement design work during the current fiscal year and to begin construction the following fiscal year. Exterior walls will be repaired to prevent leaks of rainwater into the stands, the scoreboard will be updated to an LED model, and seats, toilets and showers will be modernized.

source article:

https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/sougou/202209/0015637340.shtml

translated by Brett Larner