Gloucester Sports Club back on track
A group of volunteers is giving a flood-stricken athletics club a new future with money inspired by the Games.
Gloucester City Council has secured £100,000 of Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund to bring Blackbridge Athletics Track back into full use for its local community and existing clubs.
Damaged by flooding in 2007, its current facilities have deteriorated to such an extent it has lost its competition license and specific restrictions have been placed on activities due to health and safety concerns.
Work taking place this summer will include widening the track, installing floodlights so people and refurbishing the clubhouse. The club will then be taken over by the newly formed Gloucester Athletics Track Management, a company made up of volunteers who will run the site for the local community.
The Inspired Facilities fund is part of the £135 million Places People Play legacy programme that is bringing the magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities across the country.
Community Canoeing Paddles On
While GB medal hopeful Campbell Walsh begins his last weeks of intensive training, a canoe club in Devon is hoping to double its membership thanks to 2012 legacy funding.
Axe Vale Canoe Club secured £50,000 from the Inspired Facilitiesfund part of the £135 million Places People Play legacy programme that is bringing the magic of the Games into communities across the UK.
The funds are being used to modernise and extend the current premises, by increasing changing facilities, space for training as well as a new social area. The facilities will also enhance its school education programme and encourage parents to support the club.
Photo credit Sport England
Wind in the sails of Cornwall club
A sailing club in Cornwall had double reason to celebrate last week when Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie visited to handover a cheque for £50,000.
Helford River Sailing Club was awarded the funding from the Inspired Facilities Fund, part of the £135 million Places People Play legacy programme. The cash is being used to improve Helford’s clubhouse which they hope will attract more members. Julian Samuel from the club said: “It is the cornerstone of our strategy to have an outstanding club for the 2012 Olympics’ legacy.”
Local MP, Andrew George, added: “I’m sure that the sailing club will be doing all it can to encourage people who may have thought sailing was an exclusive sport.“
Image ©Sport England
