National Water Sports Centre – White Water Course Upgrade.
November 24th – Feb/Mar 2009
Work is due to get underway on a major upgrade to the white water course at Holme Pierrepont making it a world-leading sporting facility. The £700,000 revamp funded by Sport England and developed extensively by the British Canoe Union has been given the go ahead by Nottinghamshire County Council and will see significant improvement both for recreational use and elite canoeing sports.
The improvements are due to be completed by the end of Feb/Mar 2009 ( we will keep you updated on re-opening dates as the work progresses) . This will give British athletes time to practice on the upgraded course ahead of the European Canoe Slalom Championships being held at Holme Pierrepont between 28 and 31 May next year. The facility will also be the first choice for our athletes to train at, until the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic venue, Broxbourne, opens in 2011.
Home Pierrepont is the training base of David Florence, who won a silver medal in the slalom canoeing at the Beijing Olympics. He said:
“The upgrade is great news for the whole canoe team and will help us in our bid for more medals in 2012 as it will replicate many of the challenges we’ll face in the Olympic course at Broxbourne.
“The introduction of moveable obstacles will ensure the white water course also provides a great experience for the tens of thousands of sports enthusiasts who use it every year. I hope my Olympic success can persuade even more people to get involved in our great sport.”
The course will be closed while the improvements are carried out but as a gesture of goodwill, annual pass holders will have their membership extended by this period of time.
Benefits of the upgrade include:
• increased flow and water depths
• increased flexibility in course layout and use of features
• creation of a new intermediate paddler and rescue training area
• widened channel areas allowing high flows
• new concrete platforms to provide launch/rescue points and large climbing holds placed at exit points
The upgraded course will be run by Nottinghamshire County Council from April 1st next year when they take over take over the management, operation and redevelopment of the National Water Sports Centre.
The new arrangements for the centre could see an investment of around £10m into the new site, to upgrade current facilities and develop a range of new activities and attractions.
In a recent press release County Councillor Chris Baron, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, said:
“The new course will be fantastic both for elite canoeists to train and for recreational users to have fun. The increased flow and features of the course will make it a white knuckle ride for white water rafters and a real challenge for canoeists. This is the first of our promises of our exciting plans for the centre we have delivered that will assure its reputation as a premier sports facility in the country”.
Charles Johnston, Property Director at Sport England, said:
“Sport England’s investment in upgrading the white water course is great news for the thousands of sports enthusiasts who use the facilities at Holme Pierrepont.The flexible design means it will be easy to adapt the course for different users as well as giving our top canoeists the best chance of success at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The British Canoe Union conducted a consultation process with the range of users of the facilities and this input has helped to develop an improved and flexible design.
Sport England and Leisure Connection would like to thank you for your support and cooperation during these works.
The plans show the extent of the planned works. Should you have any questions, please speak to a member of staff.