THEY'RE off and going for gold.
Contractors have begun work on a £300,000 refurbishment of King George V Stadium, in Grimsby.
It will provide a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympics and better facilities for sportsmen and women aiming to compete at all levels.
New lighting for the track will mean athletes will be able to train more in winter.
And hold-ups on the track when someone is practising javelin or hammer throws will be a thing of the past as the different disciplines will be segregated.
A new hammer cage will be installed, complete with a refurbished shot putt area and a new judging stand.
The pole vault will be moved to improve the size of the football pitch, and the stadium's indoor facilities will receive a new heating system, while the changing rooms will benefit from new showers as well as a general facelift.
The improvements are due to be completed by early next year and sports chiefs pledged that there will be minimal disruption to visitors while work is carried out.
North East Lincolnshire Council secured £150,000 of Olympic legacy funding from Sport England to carry out the work.
Councillors also agreed to match the grant with a further £150,000.
Deputy council leader Mick Burnett said: "It is an investment in the future health of the community. This will be part of the Olympic legacy.
"The council has worked with Sport England to bring this about and will bring about improvements for all sports provided at the stadium.
"All sports clubs have welcomed the improvements."
The vice-president of Cleethorpes Athletic Club, Dave Roberts, said: "The vision is for there to be really good facilities here.
"There will be improvements for the track judges stand and better facilities for timekeepers.
"We are grateful to North East Lincolnshire Council for getting the work going.
"We already have an excellent track and this work will make it safer. It means we will be able to have better athletics meetings and competitions with other clubs.
"They came here from lots of areas between Peterborough in the south and Newcastle in the north.
"We are looking forward to some excellent meetings next year."
Every sporting facility receiving funding from Sport England will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark, celebrating the link to the Games.
