The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich will host the Olympic Shooting events and Paralympic Shooting and Archery events during the London 2012 Games. North Greenwich Arena will host Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics and the Basketball finals during the Olympic Games, followed by Wheelchair Basketball during the Paralympic Games.
Greenwich Council last night unanimously approved the ODA’s planning application for the erection of temporary shooting ranges and seating stands at the Royal Artillery Barracks and the northern part of Woolwich Common during the Games. The temporary facilities include the provision of four temporary indoor ranges and three temporary open air ranges for the qualifying rounds and finals of Olympic events.
During the Paralympic Games the outdoor ranges will be removed and replaced with temporary Archery ranges for the Paralympic Archery qualification and finals events. Work to install the temporary facilities will begin early next year. The temporary facilities will then be removed after the Games with the site being returned to its former use and condition.
Greenwich Council also unanimously granted planning permission to LOCOG for a range of temporary works to transform North Greenwich Arena into an Olympic and Paralympic venue. Work will begin in May 2012 and will include items such as tents, cabins, signage, services and equipment in and around the venue. The temporary facilities will seat up to 18,000 spectators. During the Games period, local residents and other visitors will continue to have free access to the Entertainment Avenue of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. After the Games, the North Greenwich Arena will revert to being a multi-faceted music, sports and entertainment venue.
ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'The Royal Artillery Barracks will be a fitting venue for the shooting events at the London 2012 Games and our temporary works will help us deliver the best possible facilities for athletes. Securing planning permission is an important step forwards and keeps us on track to start installing the temporary measures on site early next year.'
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of LOCOG, said: 'This is very good news and a vital step forward in our preparations for the Games. These venues are an important part of the cluster of sports being staged in Greenwich. North Greenwich Arena is without doubt an outstanding venue and will be a spectacular sporting stage in 2012.'
Note to Editors:
1. The North Greenwich Arena is known to the public as the 02. At Games-time and for all Games-related matters, it will be referred to as the North Greenwich Arena. This is to accommodate the International Olympic Committee’s clean venues policy and LOCOG’s partnership agreement with BT.
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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)20 3 2012 700.
The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.
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