A NEW athletics stadium in Bournemouth should have indoor training facilities and function rooms, it has been agreed.

Earlier this year the site of the current Bournemouth Athletics Club track in King's Park was earmarked for the new AFC Bournemouth stadium, with no plans to use the vacated Vitality Stadium for athletics.

The location for the new athletics stadium, which would be fully-funded by Cherries, has not been decided, but it could move out of the park.

Recently Bournemouth council organised a workshop with members of the athletics club to identify their aspirations for any future facilities.

They called for improved indoor training space, cafés and events facilities, and improved lighting around the stadium for security purposes.

Robin James, club chairman, said: "Up until now, there has been no clear understanding about what the athletics community would like to see in terms of a new and or replacement facility in the park.

"This workshop gave Bournemouth Athletics Club, as one of the key users of the athletics centre, the opportunity to put forward our aspirations for any future redevelopment of the athletics stadium.

"We are very proud of the friendly and inclusive atmosphere we have created and continue to nurture at Kings Park Athletics Stadium.

"It is essential that this is carried over into any new development, with a focus on inclusivity, nurturing role models and celebrating the club’s history and sporting talent.

"As proposals progress, we are keen to see high quality facilities for all who wish to participate, allowing the legacy of the Kings Park athletics success to continue.

"We are pleased to work with the council and see this as a positive step forward in the club’s ambition for Bournemouth to become a regional centre of athletic excellence."

The council is also conducting a survey of residents' views.

The borough said one such survey last year showed residents wanted Kings Park to be more "welcoming and attractive", with improved signage and entrances, as well as better cafés, toilets, paths and playgrounds.

Council leader John Beesley said: "This is an ideal opportunity to review the current level of athletics provision in the park so that we can help to deliver improved facilities in the future.

"Whilst it is still early days the work we are doing now with Bournemouth Athletics Club will inform any future proposals for new athletics facilities.

"Bournemouth has a track record of building and maintaining award winning parks and it is our ambition to bring King's Park up to the Green Flag standard.

"It’s important that whilst working with AFC Bournemouth and Bournemouth Athletics Club we also provide residents and other groups the opportunity to have their say on the future of King's Park."