London 2012 - Legacy in the lead

Speaking at the Legacy Lives 2007 conference in London, Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins outlined how legacy use and community regeneration were already 'locked-in' to the early stages of planning and designing Olympic and Paralympic venues and infrastructure.

The Olympic Park Aquatics Centre and Olympic and Paralympic sailing facilities in Weymouth were cited as two examples of how venues are being planned and designed – five and a half years before the Games begin - with a clear focus on sporting, economic, social and environmental legacy.

David Higgins, Chief Executive of the ODA said:
"The ODA has a commitment to 'no white elephants' - even at this early stage legacy use and community regeneration are ‘locked-in’ to all that we are doing. Planning Games and Legacy together will help us set new standards for sustainable sports venues and urban development as we achieve our regeneration ambition for the Lower Lea Valley."

David Higgins also outlined the significant progress the ODA has made since it was established nearly a year ago.

With the Olympic Park Masterplan and Olympic Transport Plan already in place and early utilities and design work underway, the year ahead will focus on the clearing and cleaning of the land, putting in place detailed venue designs and letting of thousands of contracts.

Notes to Editors

Legacy Lives 2007 is an international conference focusing on best practice legacy planning and implementation for major sporting events. It brings together 300 of the world's leading decision makers on sports events.

Aquatics Centre case study
The state-of-the-art Aquatic Centre will be one of the most significant architectural elements in the Olympic Park - the 'front door' from Stratford City.

Sporting Legacy - The Aquatic Centre will be designed from its inception for legacy use as the London Aquatic Centre and will host regional, national and some international events as well as providing elite training facilities

Economic Legacy - Discussions with the local boroughs are continuing to offer a range of leisure activities and a health and fitness centre to accommodate a diverse range of users, contributing to the long-term viability of the building

Social Legacy - The Aquatics Centre will be flexible enough in legacy for use not just for elite training but also local and wider community groups. The exceptional design of the building will also set the standard for architectural quality in a key regeneration area

Environmental Legacy - The Aquatics Centre has been designed to reduce the use of materials and heating. During the Games and in legacy use elements of the building will be supplied with green energy

Weymouth case study
The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games sailing events will take place at Osprey Quay, in Weymouth during the Games. A permanent new slipway will be built for use during the Games. This will remain in legacy along with a new commercial marina the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) is developing.

Sporting Legacy - The development will leave enhanced sailing facilities for the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) that will directly benefit all levels of sailing competence

Economic Legacy - The development forms part of wider regeneration of Osprey Quay which will create jobs and boost the local economy

Social Legacy – The community programmes operated by WPNSA will be boosted by the new facilities and there will be the further opportunities to attract local and disadvantaged people to the sport

Environmental Legacy - The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, venue for the sailing events in the 2012 Games, is already generating electricity from renewable sources

Media Enquiries

Contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on 020 3 2012 700.