Design work underway at London 2012 sailing facilities at Weymouth

A consultancy team of White Young Green and Royal Haskoning, project managed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), has been commissioned by the ODA to work on design and environmental studies, prior to submitting a planning application in Spring 2007.

The ODA is building a longer, dual-aspect slipway and more race-boat parking, lifting and mooring facilities at the Academy, which is already rated as one of the best small-boat sailing locations in Europe. The works will be located on the shorefront of the WPNSA, part of the Osprey Quay regeneration scheme.

David Higgins, ODA chief executive, said: 'Improvements at Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy are a key project for the Olympic Delivery Authority outside of the delivery of the Olympic Park in east London and will help spread Olympic benefits around the UK. The ODA is pleased to be enhancing the already high-quality venue at Weymouth and Portland. It will provide an important sporting and regional legacy after the Games. '

Chairman of the Organising Committee for the London 2012 Games, Sebastian Coe, said the enhancement plans will enable the skills and excitement of sailing to be showcased in a spectacular sports setting for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

"The design enhancements, along with the proposed course layout and consistent wind conditions set in the Bay of Weymouth will create a stunning amphitheatre for Olympic and Paralympic sailing teams and spectators in 2012,"Coe said.

"The enhancements will transform Weymouth from an existing top class venue into a world class training and competition venue equipped to stage further major international sailing events and competitions after the 2012 Games. The enhancements will also make this superb sailing site accessible to athletes and sailing teams from a wide range of backgrounds, including junior,and disabled sailors, providing a marvelous sailing experience that will help to grow the sport."

Bill Ludlow, Chairman of the Sailing Academy, said: "We very much welcome the progress being made on the project to enhance the facilities at the Academy. In addition to meeting the needs of the Games these works will help us in our work to enable more people to learn and participate in the sport. They will be a permanent legacy for young people, the region and the sport of sailing in the UK."

Guy Lavender, South West England Director for the 2012 Games, said: "The Osprey Quay development is making excellent progress, thanks to the work of all partner agencies involved. But now, with these plans on the table, we can really start to move forward to develop a world-class sailing facility in Weymouth and Portland that future generations will be proud of. My team's role will be to make sure the region benefits from this unique not just in 2012, but beyond."

SWRDA is also progressing its plans to create a new marina at Osprey Quay alongside the Sailing Academy and has now selected the firm Dean and Reddyhoff as preferred bidder to progress detailed negotiations to provide additional facilities for the Olympics. Dean and Reddyhoff have a long track record of developing and running successful marinas at Haslar in Portsmouth Harbour, East Cowes on the Isle of Wight and Weymouth harbour.

ENDS

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Notes to Editors

The Olympic Delivery Authority is a statutory corporation set up under the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 to deliver the permanent venues and infrastructure needed for the 2012 Games.

The ODA is working in partnership with the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), Sport England and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). A comprehensive regional and local transport strategy is being developed in collaboration between ODA, LOCOG and a broad spectrum of stakeholders led by Dorset County Council.

White Young Green is a firm of project managers, planners and engineering consultants based in the south-west and is supported by Royal Haskoning, an international firm of marine civil engineering and environmental consultants. Both firms were appointed by SWRDA on a framework agreement following European public competitive procurement procedures.

The WPNSA facility was opened in 2005, and capital funding was by provided by SWRDA and Sport England as apart of the agenda to encourage people to start, stay and succeed in sport, from the local community level up to world class athletes.