MAJOR plans have been unveiled to upgrade the Down Grange sporting complex in Basingstoke.

If funding is secured and the plans get the go-ahead, Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club will have two more lanes to make an eight-lane track, enabling the club to hold national league fixtures at home rather than having to rent out another county's facilities.

A 250-seat spectator stand will be built and field event facilities will be enhanced. The existing hockey pitch would be down-sized and relocated on the site.

Under the proposals, Basingstoke rugby club will see their first XV rugby pitch moved to a more central location, which would possibly be enclosed with floodlighting, feature a new 500-seat spectator stand (an artist's impression of which is pictured right) and improved changing facilities.

Much-needed improvements to the quality of their pitch, training facilities, car parking and security are also proposed.

Hoping the upgrades will meet with approval is Ian Byett, life vice-president of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club.

He said: "When the track was laid down nearly 15 years ago, the standard was six lanes. We were a little club in the southern league and six lanes was enough. We've evolved now into the national track-and-field league for women and the standard in that league is eight lanes. At the moment we can't hold any home fixtures."

He added: "If the plans are approved, it will give the club new status and new confidence."

Maurice Bates, Basingstoke rugby club's council liaison officer, said: "If, as we hope, we're successful in returning to the national league, we need to provide a better standard of facilities.

"We hope that by having the right facilities, it will help us to retain the young players through to senior rugby, otherwise youths will be attracted to clubs such as Newbury and Henley who have those facilities."

Cllr John Shaw, Cabinet member for recreation and culture, said: "It's a consultation exercise at the moment so we want to invite residents' views as well as those of the hockey, rugby and athletics clubs.

"The extra parking spaces would ease congestion, especially in places like Coniston Road."

The plans will be on display in the rugby club car park between 9.30am and 1pm on Saturday, and representatives from the council and the athletics and rugby clubs will be on hand to discuss the proposals.