Two Year Countdown To Olympics

27 July 2010, 05:30

With just two years until Weymouth and Portland host the 2012 Olympic Sailing events, preparations are well underway.

Two major transport schemes - the relief road and the town centre management plan - are continuing ahead of schedule, and plans for an outdoor 'events village' possibly with big marquees have been announced recently.

Councillor Howard Legg who is overseeing the planning of the games here has been telling Heart it's a big honour:

"Right now it is upheaval in Weymouth, but it's for a good cause. We won't get this opportunity again so we need to make these big changes now, rather than in ten or fifteen years.

"As well as on the roads, there's regeneration of the seafront with some of the Victorian shelters being replaced last year and the rest will happen this year. We are re-surfacing the pavements and putting outside areas for restaurants and cafe's, and during the actual games we want a big leisure area on the Pavilion/Ferry terminal site so people can head there to enjoy themselves.

"We've also started selling the 2012 Olympic t-shirts which you can buy here in Weymouth."

The athletes' village on Portland which will house almost 500 sailors, will partly be used as social housing after the games, and the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOGOC) are starting a consultation with people in Weymouth and Portland this week to find out what they think it should look like.

They also want input about the temporary facilities at the Sailing Academy such as portacabins and tents required to stage the sailing competition.

Planning applications are set to be submitted by the end of the year.

James Bully is LOCOG Director of Venues. He said:

"The temporary overlay plans we have developed with two years to go until the start of the London 2012 Games will enable 460 sailors to be at their best for the competition for 10 Olympic and three Paralympic gold medals. The athletes will be competing on some of the best sailing waters in Northern Europe set against one of the UK’s most stunning coastlines. Their endeavours will help showcase Weymouth and Portland to millions of people around the world."

Plans can be viewed and commented on at the following locations:  

* The Boat That Rocks, Portland Marina, Osprey Quay
Thursday 29 July 2010 from 4pm to 8pm
Friday 30 July 2010 from 12 noon to 4pm

* The Pavilion Theatre, Weymouth
Saturday 31 July 2010 from 11am to 3pm 

Plans will also be available to view online from midday Thursday 29 July.