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15 Sep 2006 12:46:39
Organisations across Bedfordshire are joining forces to maximise the benefits of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Key representatives from local authorities, the University of Bedfordshire, Bedford College, County Sports Partnership, Bedford Development Agency, Luton Airport, Woburn Abbey and local MPS, will meet for the first time on Tuesday (19 September) at the University’s Putteridge Bury Campus in Luton, to discuss how they can bring athletes, jobs and tourism to the area before and after the Games.
The meeting comes following the directive from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) which stated that individual applications will not be considered.
Now organisations have agreed to come together to discuss the possibility of offering athletes a pre-Games training camp in the county. The deadline for applications is fast approaching and must be submitted by January 2007.
Bedford Mayor, Frank Branston, will chair the first meeting of the newly formed organisation; Bedfordshire Olympic Opportunities Support Team (BOOST).
He said: “I am pleased that all interested parties in the county are now working together. We must work from a sub-regional point of view and pool resources to maximise the benefits for the county and ensure Bedfordshire is successful in its bid to offer a pre-Games training camp, as there are fantastic facilities in the area.”
Sporting facilities in the county which could be used by athletes in the run up to the Olympics include:
- Bedford International Athletics Stadium
- Stockwood Park Athletics Centre in Luton, which holds a UK Athletics competitions licence
- Sporting Targets clay pigeon shooting range in Riseley, one of the biggest in the region
-The College Equestrian Centre in Keysoe, a championship quality venue
- State-of-the-art sport science facilities at the University of Bedfordshire’s Bedford and Luton campuses
- 500 plus en-suite room accommodation block at the University’s Polhill campus in Bedford, which is currently being built
- Squash, tennis courts, astroturf football and hockey arena at the Vauxhall Recreation Centre in Luton
- Top-of-the-range fencing facilities at the Harpur Trust schools in Bedford
- Willington Rowing Lake which is set to be built to Olympic standard by 2011
Last week the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) brought groups from the region together at the University’s Polhill campus to offer guidance on the expectations of pre-Games training camps for both Olympic and Paralympic sports, as well as looking at the economic and social benefits.
Professor David Barrett, Dean of Partnerships at the University of Bedfordshire, said: “As a recently merged University which is addressing the needs of the county and wider region, I am optimistic that BOOST can pull together and do its best to ensure the county plays its part in the 2012 Games, which will leave a lasting legacy for years to come after the Games.
“BOOST will work with EEDA on applications to the Games organising committee and, if necessary, unite with other sub-regions in maximising the benefits of the Olympics.”
Task forces have been set up by BOOST to look at the opportunities created by the Olympics for sport, business, finance, marketing, tourism, education and transport.
Latest news» 2006» Sep» County organisations pull together to plan for 2012 Olympics
