Wednesday, February 25, 2009
2 comments:
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Anonymous said...
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From the Echo:
SWANAGE’S community leaders got around the table to start the ball rolling on making the most of the 2012 Olympics.
They heard a presentation from Jim Knight, MP for South Dorset, and Gary Fooks, who is Olympic legacy manager for Team Dorset, the organisation charged with maximising the potential of the global sporting extravaganza.
Dorset will be home to the sailing events in 2012 and Swanage is hoping people heading to nearby Portland and Weymouth will also be encouraged to visit the Purbeck seaside resort.
Mr Knight said: “The fact that the Olympics is coming to Dorset is, I think, the most fantastic opportunity for us.
“It’s the biggest show the world will have seen. It’s more about the legacy that should follow on and how we can use the Olympic brand to motivate people.”
Mr Fooks said a global television audience of 5.2bn would watch the London games.
He added: “Over two-thirds of the world’s population are going to see our fantastic Jurassic Coast on TV.
“We’re going to have the world visiting us and we want them to come back.”
Ideas to make the most of the 2012 brand included arts and music performances, carnivals and sailing regattas.
One big issue that arose at the town hall meeting was making Swanage more attractive for sailors, with better moorings and a marina. Ways to attract cruise ships could also be investigated.
Martin Payne, from Swanage Railway, said: “By 2012 our tourism structure has to be as good as it can be. That can be the legacy.”
Mr Knight said the opening of the rail link from Wareham to Swanage by 2012 had to be a “clear aspiration”.
Purbeck District Council leader, Cllr Gary Suttle, said he would speak to officers there in the hope of finding someone to oversee the 2012 project. -
10/3/09 8:49 am
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Anonymous said...
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I hear though that the Swanage Regatta is scheduled to go aheead in the same week as the Olympics. Surely that doesn't make sense?
Mike Hadley -
10/3/09 8:51 am
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There will be a meeting at the Town Hall, Swanage, on Friday 6th March, from 3 - 4.30, to discuss how we can plan and prepare and make the most of the Sailing Olympics at Weymouth in 2012. Gary Fooks, Olympic Legacy Manager, will be present to discuss how this once in a lifetime opportunity could provide benefits before the Olympics, during the events and a lasting legacy beyond.Anyone in business or interested in entrepreneurial opportunities should try to be there.