Medway Park takes an Olympic-sized leap forward
The Black Lion leisure complex has taken a huge leap towards becoming a regional centre of sporting excellence called Medway Park after the government announced it will invest up to £5million in the project from its Thames Gateway programme funds.
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Plans include an eight-lane athletics track, purpose-built gymnastics centre and the complete refurbishment of the Black Lion, which will provide lasting benefits for residents and enable Medway to offer National Olympic and Paralympic Committees the opportunity to stage pre-games training camps for more than 20 sports. Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Rodney Chambers, said: "The regeneration of Medway is now moving at pace and we are recognised at national level for our potential as the city for the Thames Gateway. "The development of Medway Park brings with it a lasting legacy for Medway's residents and especially its young people. |
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"The support of our partners Thames Gateway and University of Kent at Medway, among others, has been fantastic. We appreciate and applaud their commitment to our joint aims to bring first class facilities to Medway and give us the best opportunity to provide Olympic training camp facilities."
Thames Gateway Chief Executive Judith Armitt said: "The commitment to ensure social as well as physical regeneration, is the reason why we have backed this bid.
The project is a great example of how the opportunity presented by the Olympics can enhance the regeneration of local communities through bigger and better facilities, improved health and links to education partners."
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The University of Kent at Medway has already pledged £3million to the scheme. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Mander, said: "Sport is a way of engaging the community in a whole range of activities, such as fitness, team building and personal endeavour. The Olympics is an inspiring prospect and we will be working hard to make sure that Medway has the opportunity to take full advantage." Olympic medallist and Medway International Sporting Ambassador Steve Backley, who is backing Medway's plans and helped launched them in January, said: "What impressed me then and now, is the determination and enthusiasm throughout Medway to make the most of this historic moment, to produce that ultimate performance that will deliver tangible benefits to the Medway community in the build up to 2012 and beyond. |
The plans for Medway Park include a new multi-purpose gymnastics centre and an eight-lane athletics track as well as the complete refurbishment of the Black Lion leisure complex to include:
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August 2007 news
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