The facility, the first of its kind in South-East England, is a key project for the ODA and will also provide a permanent legacy for the region and for white-water sports. The Masterplan will also include substantial environmental enhancements to the site, including an otter and water vole sanctuary.

 

“The Olympic Delivery Authority is committed to delivering a high quality venue at Broxbourne that will provide an important sporting and regional legacy after the Games,” said David Higgins, the chief executive of the ODA. “Providing a legacy is critical to all our thinking."

 

The new white-water course will be available for a test event in 2011 and for pre-Games training and competition use. The venue will serve as a catalyst for regeneration in the Spitalbrook area, incorporating leisure use along with environmental enhancements to the area.

 

"Our vision is to inspire more young people into sport and new venues like the Broxbourne canoe course will provide much needed new sports facilities and opportunities to increase sports participation and physical activity amongst  young people, which will lead to healthier and better resourced communities,” said Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

 

The ODA is working in partnership with the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA), LOCOG and the British Canoe Union (BCU). A broad stakeholder group led by LVRPA with the support of East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and other local bodies is taking forward a parallel study of potential social, economic and environmental regeneration opportunities that can be catalysed by this Olympic investment.

 

The facility will be located on land next to Broxbourne railway station owned by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA).

 

“We are very excited to be working with the Olympic Delivery Authority to develop a world-class regional sports and leisure facility that will open up the Spitalbrook site to the public for the first time in over 100 years,” said Shaun Dawson, chief executive of the LVRPA.

 

Paul Owen, chief executive of the BCU, said the new course would help to grow the sport of canoeing and promote Broxbourne and the Hertfordshire region as an Olympic host venue and destination.

 

“This venue will lead to new era in canoeing and help to broaden the appeal of the sport amongst young people,” he said.

 

Drivers Jonas is a multi-discipline chartered surveying practice numbering over 500 partners and staff. The firm is owned by 23 partners and takes pride in its independence, established in 1725, making it the oldest established firm of chartered surveyors in existence.