SpoRt 2012 park to be legacy ‘attraction’


Authorities involved in plan- ning the future of London’s Olympic Park are looking to secure the “right mix of attrac- tions for different audiences” in a bid to cement its visitor appeal aſter the Games. Shaun Dawson, chief exec-


utive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, told members of the London Assembly’s Economy, Culture and Sport committee there were “great opportunities” for the site. He told members that the


Olympic Park in Munich, Germany, has operated suc- cessfully over a 30-year period, despite Bayern Munich football club moving out in 2005. Dawson said: “[Munich] bought on board


Te specification of the complex will be finalised following consultation


moving out. It’s about finding the right mix of attractions for different audiences.” Duncan Innes of the Olympic Park Legacy


Sea Life Centre [the aquarium brand owned by Merlin Entertainments] and that has been a roaring success. It’s added another dimen- sion and that was driven by Bayern Munich


Company added: “Te park itself is an incred- ible generator of visitors and potential income, though the point about another major visitor attraction is potentially absolutely valid.”


£4m community facility for Sheffield


Detailed proposals have been announced for a new £4m community football venue in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Sheffield and Hallamshire


County Football Association will develop and manage the new Westfield Community Football Centre. Te complex will be located


to the south east of the city on a site which used to house an old school sports centre. It will replace eight poorly-main- tained pitches and vandalised changing facilities used by about 20 weekend football and rugby union teams. Facilities at the new site will include a full


size third generation artificial floodlit pitch with spectator stands, five-a-side pitches; eight grass pitches for football and rugby; a Fitness


Skiplex is eyeing sites in London and SE England


Skiplex planning to open new ski locations


Skiplex has appointed Sports Solutions and Jones Lang LaSalle to identify new loca- tions for indoor ski training centres across London and South East England. Te facilities will form part of Skiplex’s


expansion plans and will offer indoor train- ing, with users able to learn how to perfect skiing and snowboarding techniques. Artificial ski slope simulators similar in


size to squash courts provide a safe and controllable environment – powered by a hydraulic system – in which to develop ski- ing skills in an indoor setting.


Te new football facility is to be developed in the south east of Sheffield


Unlimited-branded health club built and run by Sheffield International Venues; jogging and cycle track; physiotherapy clinic; and class- rooms; and changing rooms.


Blue Sky International confirms Port Vale investment


US-based artificial turf supplier Blue Sky International (BSI) will invest £5m into npower League Two side Port Vale Football Club (PVFC) over the next year. BSI said that the investment will go towards the operation of the club, training facilities and


© CYBERTREK 2011


its Vale Park stadium, including the installation of new seating in the Lorne Street Stand. Additional investment worth £2.5m over a


five-year period will go towards new commu- nity outreach facilities and £500,000 over ten years for pre-season tours for PVFC players.


Twitter: @leisureopps


EUR2.9m funding for Irish sports schemes


More than 50 local authority-backed sports schemes across Ireland are to receive a share of EUR2.9m (£2.5m) worth of investment from the Irish government. Te announcement was made by minis-


ter of state for tourism and sport, Michael Ring, with the funding designed to improve facilities and increase participation. Ring said: “This funding is being


allocated to projects which will boost par- ticipation in sport, such as outdoor gym equipment and fitness trails, floodlighting and refurbishment of changing facilities.”


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 3


Swimming pathway partnership announced


Te Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) is to extend its British Gas ASA Learn to Swim framework to under four-year-olds for the first time aſter reaching an agree- ment with two commercial partners. Baby swimming specialists Water Babies


and the Institute of Swimming have signed a Skills Pledge to provide education in baby and pre-school swimming. Te deal will provide a seamless swim-


mer pathway, linking the Water Babies baby and toddler programmes into the British Gas ASA Learn to Swim framework.


image: oda/anthony charlton


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