2012 Olympics
Dorset legacy : benefits
The Dorset ‘Legacy’
One of the objectives of the Dorset Working Group for the London 2012 Games is to maximise the economic, social, health, and environmental benefits from the Games. The Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP) is working with partners to define the community and cultural legacy, whilst the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Economic Partnership (BDPEP) is working with partners to define the business and economy legacy.
For Dorset, the impact of the London 2012 Games is being felt already. For example:
· £7.85m has been invested in the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy so far. Further investment will take place to provide new slipways, conference facilities and temporary media centre for the Games.
· In June 2006, Dean & Reddyhoff were named as the builder and operator of the new 600 berth marina that will be built next to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy at Osprey Quay. This new marina will be the largest single yacht marina constructed in the UK since Haslar in 1993. Enhancing the new marina will be several businesses and services geared to providing ancillary amenities to the cruising and racing yachtsman alike, these will include; a bar and restaurant, fuel berth, travel hoist, chandlery, yacht broker, and marine engineers, to name but a few.
· In July 2006 the Department for Transport announced they “expect to fund” the Weymouth Relief Road scheme in the next 3 years. The relief road will benefit many businesses in the Weymouth & Portland area. The scheme is likely to be subject to a Public Inquiry in 2007.
In addition to the examples above, Comer Homes have started work on the Ocean View apartments at Castleton and Howard Holdings have released plans for the redevelopment of the Weymouth Pavilion and Ferry Terminal site, which will include a 4* Hotel, Marina and Visitor Centre.
For the Sailing Events during London 2012 Games, it is anticipated that there will be around 270 boats and 400 competitors in the 11 different classes of the sailing competition. However, in the 2 years prior to the Games, test events will be held at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy. The test events will take place over the same summer period (from end July to early September) in both 2010 and 2011. In essence, these events are a full rehearsal for the Games, but in 2010 will involve twice as many boats and competitors (around 540 boats and 800 competitors). The proposed dates and schedules for the test events are to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) for approval.
The ambitious ‘Legacy for Dorset from the London 2012 Games’ document known as ‘Dorset’s12 for 2012’ is summarised on the following page.
Overall, the Dorset ‘legacy’ will be what we make it.
Dorset’s Lasting Legacy from the London 2012 Games
1. Improved transport infrastructure and access, with the Weymouth Relief Road (WRR) open and in use, and an integrated road and rail based public transport system offering improved reliability and accessibility for road-based public transport serving Weymouth and Portland with more frequent and faster trains to and from Weymouth
2. Creation of Europe’s top international sailing venue at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), including improved facilities and a new marina for the benefit of the whole of Dorset.
3. Increased participation by people of all ages in sport, play and leisure activities.
4. Increase in general levels of health and reduction in level of obesity in all ages of Dorset’s population through more healthy, active lifestyles.
5. Weymouth and Portland becomes a centre of international marine and leisure excellence with a view to stimulating Dorset’s economy, increasing wage levels and providing more year round employment.
6. Improved economic opportunities for wider Dorset, with access to quality employment, where young people can see they have a future
7. Well trained and more highly skilled people in work or volunteering to support local communities and sustain the local economy well beyond the Games.
8. International recognition of Dorset as a desirable county to visit that offers a warm welcome with improved customer care and quality international service standards, backed up by high quality visitor accommodation
9. A greater understanding of diversity and multiculturalism, including improved access and facilities in the area for visitors and local people with disabilities.
10. Sustain the enhanced international profile of Dorset and through this continue to develop interest in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, cultural activities and Dorset’s economic offer.
11. Provide a stimulus to improvement in the social, cultural and economic fabric of Weymouth and Portland together with improving the supply of housing accommodation, including affordable housing.
12. Dorset to achieve a step change in its environmental and sustainability performance including energy and water use; waste & recycling; travel; food; materials and wildlife.
