When it was announced that London would be the official host for the 2012 Olympic Games, many doubted – very publicly – that the UK was up to the challenge. After all, Britain was struggling to cope with economic issues, concerns regarding London’s public transport’s capability to withstand an influx of visitors arose and, to add further pressure, Beijing’s huge success in 2008 meant the bar was set very high for the following host to live up to.
However once the Games began these doubts ebbed away, thanks partly to the impressive performance of Team GB, but mostly due to the spectacular Opening Ceremony and smooth running of events thereafter.
Now it is hoped that the feeling of national pride radiating from the Olympic Park will be felt for generations thanks to the arenas erected for the 2012 Games.
London Mayor Boris Johnson has confirmed that the London Legacy Development Corporation has managed to secure the future of all eight permanent venues erected within the Olympic Park after signing a final deal with iCITY last week.
It is hoped that the companies moving in to the park to further develop these properties will create further opportunities in the area, with jobs and homes high on the wish list of local authorities.
iCITY will be responsible for the Press and Broadcast Centre which housed 20,000 national and international media staff throughout the Olympics. However, rather than appealing to traditional broadcasting giants, the firm intends to invest £100 million into redeveloping the site for business clients with BT Sport and Infinity SDC already on the list of confirmed tenants.
Altogether, 4,500 jobs are expected to be created by the exciting project.
The Olympic Stadium, meanwhile, will continue in its role as a prime sporting venue by welcoming West Ham United as its new tenant in 2016. However, it will also host five games during the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and will provide a platform for the 2017 IAAF Athletics World Championships.
Similarly, the Lee Valley VeloPark, scene of so many Team GB successes, will be operated in its sporting capacity by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. After re-opening in spring 2014 it will hopefully win its bid for the 2016 Track Cycling World Championships.
However, arguably the most significant project in the park will be the transformation of the Athletes’ Village to a residential complex known as East Village. Triathlon Homes and Qatari Diar Delancey will create 2,818 homes in the first residential area of potentially many, with 1,439 to be sold privately and the remaining 1,379 to be designated affordable housing.
The remaining venues whose future has been secured are the Copper Box, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, the Aquatics Centre, and Anish Kapoor’s 115 metre-high sculptural observation tower, the ArcelorMittal Orbit.
With only a year having passed since London welcomed the world’s top athletes into the Olympic Park, the fact that all eight permanent properties within the complex have assured futures is remarkable. Hopefully, the uses to which they will be put will continue the good work of London 2012 and bring prosperity to the surrounding area in a truly admirable Olympic Legacy.
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