More consultation will be held with his family despite their express wish for the Alexandra Park athletics track to be named in his honour being circulated to councillors last week.

It followed a council committee recommendation to name a still to be constructed stand at the complex after him.

Cr Darren Cameron said the family had left council in no doubt what they wanted.

“They have made it very clear beyond any doubt their preference is for the naming of the athletics track,” he said.

“I know every party acted in good faith and it’s no reflection on us changing our mind.

“It should not cost council any more to name the athletics track rather than the proposed stand.

“There is no downside to the community and we should try to meet the wishes of the family.”

He was backed by Cr John Stuchbery and Cr Murray King with the latter the only committee member last week to oppose the Les O’Brien Stand option.

Cr Henk van de Ven queried whether naming the athletics track after Mr O'Brien was an option presented to the family.

Director James Jenkins said council staff met with his daughters twice and all options including the track re-naming were discussed.

“At the second meeting the option of the Les O’Brien Stand was indicated to the family as the preferred option of staff,” he said.

“The reasons being precedents at other major venues.

“Les was also particularly passionate about the construction of the stand and terraced seating.”

Cr David Thurley cited the example of the SCG where stands are named after famous sportspeople including cricketers Don Bradman and Bill O’Reilly.

“These are ways that clearly honour very high achieving sportspeople and I believe naming a stand after Les O’Brien would be an extremely high honour,” he said.

Cr King said the track re-naming would be “great recognition” for a volunteer on the Border.

But Cr Alice Glachan backed the original decision.

“It allows for other future and indeed continuing contributions made by people who can be recognised in the future," she said.