The temporary closure of the running track at the National Stadium will be worth the disruption when the stadium reopens in time for the Carifta Games, Craig Tyrrell, the National Sports Centre operations manager, says.

The 400 metres track will close in January for resurfacing, work that should be completed in a few weeks.

It will all be completed in advance of the Carifta Games in the second week of April, with the new surface ready to be used for final Carifta trials in March.

“We have started some preliminary work on the outer concrete supports and then plan to work on the inner iron supports,” Tyrrell said. “The track surface work will start in January. From that point the track will be completely unavailable for use for at least six weeks.

“We are excited to have this work done and trust that the public will be happy with the final product, which is expected to have a colour change in the relay exchange zones which should make it pop.”

The stadium is used regularly by athletics and running clubs, with Pacers Track Club and Mid Atlantic Athletic Club using the track for practice throughout the week.

The Front Street Mile trials will take place at the National Stadium on December 13 with track meets scheduled for January, February and March to allow athletes to meet Carifta standards.

The Skyport Magic Mile event is scheduled for the end of February, with track meets scheduled for the previous weekend.