Central Park Stadium
| Full name | Central Park Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location |
 Sittingbourne, Kent |
| Coordinates | 51°20′54″N 0°45′33″E / 51.34824°N 0.75926°E |
| Owner | Cearn Sports |
| Operator | Cearn Sports |
| Capacity | 6000 (2000 seats) |
| Surface | Grass with greyhound track |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1990 |
| Opened | 1990 |
| Tenants | |
| Sittingbourne (1990–2002) Kent Kings (2013- ) | |
Central Park Stadium is a greyhound racing track, and speedway track and former football stadium located in Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent, England.[1]
History
Sittingbourne FC played at the Bull Ground in the town centre until 1990 when they sold the site for £4.5 million and built a new state of the art stadium on the outskirts of the town named Central Park Stadium. However, overspending on the new ground caused the club financial difficulties and they were forced to sell the ground to the local council and lease it back. The ground was eventually leased to a company which ran greyhound racing events, who allowed the football club to sign a seven-year lease (a requirement of the Southern League). The club found it hard to guarantee the availability of the stadium due to the racing, however, and agreed to start playing their games on part of the complex where they used to train. This was built in 2002 and named Bourne Park.
The Kent Kings speedway team will ride at the stadium in 2013.
Facilities
The stadium was built to a capacity of approximately 6000, with 2000 seats available in the Main Stand, two end terraces and a large covered terrace opposite the Main Stand. There are also four private suites, a trackside restaurant, three bars and a fast food cafeteria.
Greyhound Racing
Racing takes place every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evening.
In 2012 the track was granted permission to host the original classic race for hurdlers the Grand National which moved from Wimbledon. It was a major coup for the track.[2]
Speedway
In May 2013, National League speedway returned to the county of Kent, with the newly formed Kent Kings racing at the stadium.[3]
References
- ↑ "Track Search". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
- ↑ "Tracks - English NGRC/GBGB Licensed Tracks". Greyhound Racing History.
- ↑ "Kent Speedway". Kent Kings. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
External links
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51°20′54″N 0°45′33″E / 51.34824°N 0.75926°E