The London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games Legacy in Broxbourne

What will the benefits be for the Borough of hosting the London 2012 Games?
There are a huge number of benefits, and legacy opportunities, that the London 2012 Games will generate for Broxbourne. The London 2012 Games themselves will bring an atmosphere of excitement and festival to the Borough, bringing spectators and visitors from all over the world to the area. The London 2012 Games will put Broxbourne on the map internationally, and encourage business and investment into the area.

• One of the key legacies from the London 2012 Games will be that the world’s finest white water centre will remain in Broxbourne, and be available for public use. This will result in a number of benefits:

• The Lee Valley has already become the national base for white water canoeing. Team GB canoeists and the British Canoe Union, the UK National Governing Body for the sport in the UK, are both now based in the area.

• The London 2012 Games and the White Water Centre will assist local sporting development, particularly with the use of the centre by local schools, and the introduction of local Olympic and sports ambassadors. All this leads to healthier lifestyles.

• An estimated 70,000 people will use the centre every year; leading to an increase in spending in Waltham Cross town centre and additional investment in the Borough.

• National and international canoe events will bring additional spectators to Broxbourne that will further increase spending at local businesses. A bid for Broxbourne to host the 2015 White Water Canoe World Championships has been successful, bringing an estimated £1.5 million into the area.

• On this basis alone, the White Water Centre, and Lee Valley Park, will be promoted as a tourism and leisure destination.

• By linking existing attractions with the White Water Centre, the Lee Valley can further be promoted as a tourist destination.

• This can all then act as a catalyst to attract additional related leisure and retail facilities into the area. National canoe and kayak retailer Brookbank have already opened a store near to the White Water Centre.

• In turn, physical regeneration projects in the area will be encouraged.

• All these activities will create numerous job opportunities for local people.

• To ensure all these benefits and legacy opportunities are maximised, and coordinated properly, Broxbourne Borough Council is working together with Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council, Hertfordshire County Council and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority in a number of ways.