Children attending the new school at the former Olympic Sailing Village in Portland will benefit from improved playing fields, thanks to partners' investment in the development.

Work will start soon to turn the 7,500 sq m site at Officer's Field, Osprey Quay, where the athletes' dining quarters were based during the summer, into a high quality sports pitch. The pitch will be used by students at the new Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy, local residents and community groups throughout the year.

It will complete the transformation of the site, which was home to more than 300 athletes and team members from around 60 countries during the Olympics, into a residential development with a school and community facilities. The 77 homes, of which nearly 20 are classed as affordable, have already been converted from athletes’ quarters into residential accommodation. The first families have recently moved into the properties.

-- Advertisement --

The £40,000 project is being jointly funded by developers ZeroC, Olympic organisers LOCOG and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), who is working with partners on shaping long-term plans for the future of the Osprey Quay site. As part of the development of the new school accommodation, Dorset County Council and the Academy are also looking to fund fencing on part of the site to keep it free from dogs and provide a surfaced footpath around the edge of the field.

Esther Croft, HCA Area Manager, said: "We are committed to building on the success of the summer to deliver benefits for the people who played such an important part in the games.

"These new facilities, once complete, will have a key role in building a strong, successful community. I look forward to continuing to work with partners on this project to help it achieve its full potential."

(CD/GK)