Local residents get say on London 2012 VeloPark and Handball venues for Games and legacy

The Olympic Delivery Authority has organised a series of community consultation events, drop-in sessions and information displays on both venues for Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Residents throughout August.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'The Velopark and Handball Arena are both important venues for London 2012 and a crucial part of the legacy of world-class sporting venues that will benefit the area after the Games. We’ve worked closely with sports groups and the Boroughs to design venues that work well for Games and legacy and are looking forward to receiving further feedback from the local residents that will utilise the venues for generations to come.'

The VeloPark will be a unique facility located in the north of the Olympic Park. During the London 2012 Games it will include a 6,000-seat Velodrome and a BMX circuit with 6,000 temporary seats. After 2012, a one-mile road cycle circuit and various mountain bike courses will be added to create a VeloPark. The VeloPark will be used by the local and regional community, local clubs, elite athletes and for cycling events. After the Games the facility will be owned and operated by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

During the London 2012 Olympic Games the Handball Arena will host the Preliminaries and Quarter-Finals for the Handball competition, as well as Modern Pentathlon disciplines. During the Paralympic Games it will host Goalball. After the Games, the Arena will be transformed into a multi-sports venue for use by the community. The venue will also be used by elite squads and athletes for training. It will provide a venue for a variety of local, regional, national and international events.

Local residents are invited to attend the following consultation events:

Hackney and Tower Hamlets community workshop on the Handball Arena

19 August, 6–8.30pm, Hackney Wick Community Centre

Sporting and cycling groups are invited to attend a sports workshop on the Handball Arena and VeloPark

15 August, 6–8.30pm

To register for either workshop please call 020 78613276

Residents will also be able to find out more about the VeloPark and Handball from London 2012 staff at the following public drop in sessions:

4 August, 11am–3pm, Stratford Shopping Centre in Newham

5 August, 11am–3pm, Whitechapel Market in Tower Hamlets

6 August, 9:30am–3pm, Ridley Road Market in Hackney

8 August, 11am–3pm, The Mall in Waltham Forest

Displays will also be available between 4–15 August at: Whitechapel Idea Store; Hackney Central Library; Stratford Central Library, Waltham Forest

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