Locals to benefit from sailing venue revamp

Sailors in Dorset are among those benefiting from a multi-million pound revamp to sailing facilities in the run up to the Olympic Games.

Work on a longer, dual-aspect slipway and extra race-boat parking and accommodation at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy will help transform the site into a world class training and competition venue.

Staff at the academy hope the improvements will raise the profile of small-boat sailing in the South and provide top quality facilities for the next generation of Dorset’s water babies.

In a statement, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chief Executive David Higgins said the improvements; “will enhance the already high-

quality venue and provide an important sporting and regional legacy after the Games”.

This was echoed by Lord Sebastian Coe, the driving force of the UK’s Olympic bid; “the enhancements will make this superb sailing site accessible to athletes and sailing teams from a wide range of backgrounds, including junior and disabled sailors”.

The works form part of the Osprey Quay regeneration scheme, which aims to convert the former Royal Navy Air Station at Portland into a marina and business park.

Final plans will be submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in Spring 2007 for approval, with test events planned for Summer 2010.