Barking stakes claim for 2012 shooting
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) has put forward its case to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to host shooting events at the 2012 Games.
Rising costs have cast doubt over whether the ODA will continue with plans to build a temporary 7,500-seat venue at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, with LBBD arguing that the development of a venue at Barking Riverside would save £10m. The borough council said that all remedial and reinstatement work would be undertaken at no cost to the ODA as part of development of the 350-acre (141.6-hectare) brownfield site, which would be ready by 2010 and would provide Barking with an environmental and sporting legacy from the London Games.
LBBD chief executive, Rob Whiteman, said: "We were asked to work up a business case by the ODA, and feel we have produced a bid that is in tune with the times. It offers substantial savings and a lasting legacy for the borough. "Barking Riverside is a pivotal development area in the Thames Gateway, the largest regeneration project in Europe."
Should the ODA support the proposals, it would also secure the future of four local gun clubs, as well as complementing LBBD's 'Living the Dream' initiative to support 30 aspiring Olympic and Paralympic athletes.