Background Athletics and cycling events had been held on a grass circuit in the oval at
Queen Elizabeth Park up until the mid 1960s. In May 1964, the track was surveyed, and found to not comply with the specifications for athletics tracks. Several records awaiting acceptance were disallowed, and this was a significant blow to the athletics club. Athletics events were moved to
Memorial Park from August 1966. The venue was originally known as the Masterton Sports Bowl. The Athletics and Cycling Masterton club built a clubhouse at the site in 1981.
The all-weather track leading the field on the new all weather track, Colin Pugh Sportsbowl, in 2013 Planning for an all-weather athletics track in Masterton was underway by 2007. The Wairarapa Regional All Weather Track Trust was formed in 2009 to promote the need for an all-weather track and raise funds. Initial funding of $300,000 was obtained from the
Masterton District Council. However, the project was delayed by difficulties in securing the remaining funding required to reach the target of $1m. In 2011, the Pelorus Trust provided a grant of $50,000 and obtained 10-year naming rights. Construction was underway by November 2011. Installation of an Alsatan all-weather athletics track was completed in December 2012. Olympic medallist
Nick Willis took part in the inaugural meet on the new track in January 2013. == Certification ==